May 08, 2008	Thursday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 2, 1429

KARACHI, May 7: Sindh Food Minister Mir Nadir Ali Magsi has said that the province has so far procured 0.4 million tons of wheat and the department’s vigilance teams are maintaining a strict check on the smuggling and hoarding of the commodity.

Talking to various delegations at his residence, the minister said that the vigilance teams were carrying out raids for the purpose and the action was producing good results.

He warned that a handful of hoarders would not be allowed to create famine to amass wealth.

Mr Magsi said that after meeting the wheat procurement target, the government would deal with corrupt and inefficient officials in the food department. He hinted that such elements would be purged as they appeared to be the culprits of the wheat crisis.

He also held out the assurance that the officials who were showing good performance would be rewarded and promoted and the irresponsible ones would be sent home, pointing out that people had lost patience and could no more endure sufferings.—APP