KARACHI, Feb 25: Due to late harvesting of sugarcane crop in 2003-2004 there was a shortfall of 5.56 per cent in the production target of wheat crop in Sindh.

This was stated by Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim in his written reply to a question raised by PPP-P's MPA Humera Alvani on Friday. She had asked for details of losses borne by the government and cultivators due to post harvesting sugarcane in 2003-04.

The chief minister, who also holds the portfolio of agriculture ministry, said that the wheat production target for the year 2003-2004 was fixed at 2,300,000 metric tons for the province.

Due to late harvesting of sugarcane crop, the sowing of wheat crop was delayed. As a result, the standing sugarcane crop also consumed water that was available for wheat during Rabi season.

The main reason for delayed harvesting was dispute on date of start of crushing season 2003-04 and payment of sugarcane price, he stated. Due to late sowing of wheat crop, the target was not achieved and shortfall of 127,846 metric tons in wheat production (5.56 per cent of the target) was observed in the province.

Responding to a question from Muhammad Idrees Siddiqui about the mode of verification of the documents presented for registration before the registrar or sub-registrar of property, the chief minister, who also holds the portfolio of revenue ministry, said that it was provided in Rule-39 of the Registration Rule-1940. He also spelt out various requirements on presentation of a document for registration.

About vacancies in revenue department, the chief minister said that there were 393 (299 for initial recruitment and 94 for promotion) vacancies in the existing revenue department in Sindh.

At district level, he said, there were 835 (625 for initial recruitment and 210 for promotion) vacancies. As soon as the ban on initial recruitment was lifted, the posts meant for initial recruitment would be filled-up after observing necessary formalities, he said. Posts meant for promotion would be filled-up on the recommendation of respective departmental promotion committees very soon, he added.