DERA MURAD JAMALI: The Balochistan government has established 15 centres in Jaffarabad, Nasirabad, Jhal Magsi, Subatpur and other districts to purchase 1.6 million bags of wheat this year.

“The Balochistan government has fixed a target of procuring 1.5 million bags of wheat this year,” said Food Secretary Noor Ahmed Parkani, while talking to the media about the procurement centre in Nasirabad. Food Director Wali Muhammad was present on the occasion. Mr Parkani said the provincial government had fixed a rate of Rs1,300 per 40 kilograms and the purchase would be made in a transparent manner.

“There will be no compromise on the quality of wheat and no corruption will be tolerated in the procurement process,” he added. The food secretary explained the purchasing process had already started in areas where wheat had been grown on the directives of Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri.

He said bags would be provided to landowners. “No negligence or hurdles will be tolerated in this regard,” he warned.

Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2017