MUZAFFARGARH: Farmers have rejected the policy of getting Bardana (gunny bags) through app in wheat procurement campaign this year.

Mostly farmers don’t know how to use the app while the small landholders allege that once again the government introduced this policy for middle man and traders who directly contact food officials. Farmers say they are surprised to learn that the Punjab government has introduced Bardana app for purchasing wheat.

They say last year the government had issued gunny bags through bank after paying the cost but this time the use of app is a difficult task for them. They have appealed to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to change the policy for them and use easy ways.

Deputy Commissioner Mian Usman Ali in a press release issued on Saturday said all centres would purchase wheat as per their requirement.

The Bardana app introduced by the Punjab Information Technology Board will receive applications for gunny bags from April 13 to 17 and food department has set up eight wheat procurement centres in Muzaffargarh district and nine in Kot Addu district.

The DC said after verification by PITB and Punjab Land Record Authority, a confirmation message would be sent to the farmers who would be informed through the app about the date of release of gunny bags and wheat collection. Gunny bags would be released from April 19 on a first come, first served basis. As per District Food Controller Raheel Ashraf, wheat procurement would start from April 22 (Monday).

Raheel Ashraf said all arrangements are complete for procurement of the staple at the district level. He said the commodity would be purchased from farmers at a fixed price of Rs3,900 per 40 kg and delivery charges of Rs30 per 100 kg would be paid to each farmer.

Published in Dawn, April 14th, 2024