ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research has expressed its concern over the suspension of production by the country’s biggest tractor manufacturer ahead of the wheat harvesting in Sindh province this month.

The committee meeting held on Wednesday and chaired by Rao Muhammad Ajmal Khan, was informed that Millat Tractor Ltd has stopped production as billion of rupees’ sales tax refunds have been pending with the Federal Board of Revenue since April 2020.

National Food Security and Research Minister Syed Fakhr Imam assured the committee that the ministries of finance and industries will be approached for the resolution of this crucial issue.

The committee was briefed on wheat procurement by Pakistan Agricultural Storage & Services Corporation (Passco) and the Food Department Punjab.

Concerned over MTL operation suspension ahead of harvesting

Punjab is the major wheat-producing province and during last year variance in wheat price was observed across the provinces, hence the ministry is trying to fix a uniform price for the whole country. Soon proposal will be placed before the cabinet in this regard.

Last year 1.5 million tonnes of wheat were imported to meet the local requirement. Whereas in the current year enhanced production is expected and a plan is under process to evaluate and access the requirement and production.

At the request of Passco, the committee recommended that the Punjab government would not establish its procurement centres in the districts and tehsils.

Food security bill

The committee also considered the Pakistan Food Security Flow and Information Bill 2021 and the Pakistan Tobacco Board (Amendment) Bill 2021, and after detailed deliberations, it recommended that the bills may be passed by the National Assembly.

The committee also discussed the National Food Safety, Animal and Plant Health Regulatory Authority Bill 2021. However, during detailed deliberations, the ministry opposed the draft bill and submitted that it will cause various complications in its application, as there are other departments under the ministry performing the desired functions.

The committee recommended that the ministry should arrange a meeting to discuss the bill and find out a viable solution.

The committee did not consider the agenda item concerning Public Sector Development Programme 2022-23 and recommended that a detailed briefing should be held after 15 days and the ministry should forward the proposals to the members at least seven days before the meeting.

The committee was briefed on the regularisation of the services of entomologists working on a contract basis in the Department of Plant Protection and was informed that the term of their contract has been extended for one year as they are employees of the project and their services will be regularised.

For recommendation regarding cattle farming, livestock and artificial insemination at Umer Kot, the project has utilised 50pc of the allocated budget for the current financial year. The recommendation is already a part of the project which will be completed after utilisation of the remaining budget.

Published in Dawn, March 10th, 2022