LAHORE: The Punjab will export over 1,600,000 tons of foodgrains this year as compared with its normal export of some 800,000 tons. This was revealed by the Hon. Sardar Baldev Singh, Food Minister, Punjab, in the course of a press interview.

He said: “We have already accounted for over 500,000 tons of wheat exclusive of 119,000 tons of wheat products which deficit provinces used to buy direct from our millers. While the quota of wheat fixed for the Punjab is 1,000,000 in the case of rice we have exceeded our quota by 65,000 tons; in the case of grams by 10,000 tons; millet by 2,048 tons, maize by 11,766 tons and barley by 5,294 tons.

“This year we shall export 1,600,000 tons of foodgrains as compared with our normal export of some 800,000 tons only. In face of this achievement, the Punjab has reason to be satisfied, but we are prepared to do more. The distress of our fellow countrymen in Bengal is our distress and if need be, we are prepared even to go to the extent of cutting down our own needs to help distressed areas.”

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2018

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