DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur on Wednesday said his government would save Rs12 billion by purchasing wheat from local farmers and the money would be utilised for construction and renovation of wheat warehouses.

He stated said this during a visit to the provincial reserve centre of the food department, where he formally inaugurated the process of wheat procurement for the current season.

Provincial minister for food Zahir Shah Toru and high-ups of food department and district administration were also present. Addressing a ceremony on the occasion, Mr Gandapur said 300,000 metric tonnes of wheat would be procured from farmers of the province, out of which 40,000 metric tonnes was being purchased from Dera farmers.

He said total procurement at the rate of Rs3,900 per 40kg would cost Rs29 billion.

“It will be ensured that formers are provided with their due rights without any hindrance,” he said, adding necessary steps had been taken to make the procurement process transparent. He said committees had also been formed at the district level in addition to establishing a control room and introducing an app for the purpose.

Gandapur said: “Not buying wheat from Pakistan Agricultural Storage & Services Corporation Limited would result in a benefit of Rs12 billion, which would be utilised for construction and maintenance of warehouses.”

The chief minister made it clear that wheat procurement would be carried out on the basis of first come, first served basis.

He asked the farmers’ community to come forward and play their proactive role in implementing the provincial government’s policy aimed at ensuring wheat procurement in an efficient and transparent manner.

He made it clear that the provincial government had decided to have zero tolerance policy against corruption and bribery in all the departments, adding all possible steps would be taken to ensure transparency in all government matters, including postings and transfers.

Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2024