MITHI: The Sindh government seems to have deferred its pre-summer free wheat distribution scheme in the rain-dependent region comprising Tharparkar, Umerkot and Sanghar districts this year due to unspecified reasons. However, the process of providing free wheat to the families registered under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) had been started recently in Tharparkar district which is continuing at a normal pace.

The ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had conceived the scheme to provide relief to thousands of families affected by a drought-like situation that chronically hits the rain-dependent region. This year also, the Sindh government under the directives of PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had announced commencement of wheat distribution before the onset of summer. The Sindh cabinet has already given its approval for the procurement and release of wheat stocks to facilitate wheat distribution among 287,946 families of Tharparkar, Umerkot and Sanghar districts.Local Government Minister Jam Khan Shoro had a few weeks back visited various talukas of the desert region to assess the situation and estimate requirement of the commodity on a directive of Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah. Mr Shoro recommended immediate launch of the scheme stating that the area was stricken by a serious shortage of water, food and fodder due to insufficient rainfall. Wheat distribution could not take place last year as well due to unknown reasons although a similar situation had prevailed there in the stipulated period of time.

On the LG minister’s recommendation, the CM on March 17 ordered immediate distribution of 100 kgs of wheat to each deserving family and start of the wheat procurement, transportation and distribution process on an immediate basis. He also called for completing the process, covering 287,946 families, by the end of April.

However, the massive relief work could not be started till Sunday (May 20) and a reason is disclosed by the PPP and government functionaries. The district administrations and food officials concerned were quoted by sources in the food department as saying that they were waiting for a green signal from the PPP high command and the relevant provincial authorities.

The sources said that 87,275 wheat bags had been procured for the purpose and sent to the designated silos in Mithi, Islamkot, Diplo, Nagarparkar and Chhachhro towns.

In the meantime, the district administration of Tharparkar has started distributing 50 kgs of wheat to each family registered under the BISP with the assistance of local NGOs to dispose of a limited quantity of the stocks.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2018