Punjab government has announced to extend a subsidy of Rs 18 billion for provision of flour to consumers on cheaper rates. It will release wheat to the flour mills at Rs 1330 per 40 kilograms which will ensure the provision of 20-kilogram flour bag to consumers at Rs 785 per bag.
This was announced at a joint press conference by the Punjab Minister for Law Rana Sanaullah, Food Minister Bilal Yaseen, Agriculture Minister Dr Farrukh Javed and Health Minister Khalil Tahir Sindhu. Secretary Food Punjab was also present on the occasion. He said that Punjab government at present have 3.94 million tons of wheat in its stock which is sufficient till the start of next wheat season rather it is 500,000 tons more than the requirement of the province.
The minister said that the Chief Minister had constituted three-member committee comprising Punjab law, food and agriculture ministers to fix the wheat release price for the current year. Keeping in view of all the circumstances, the committee had fixed the price at Rs 1330 per 40 kilogram. He said ample stocks are available with the provincial government and there is no question of wheat shortage.
He said that the government had also devised a strategy for provision of cheaper and quality food to the common man. He said that as per the vision of the Chief Minister Punjab, wheat production would be increased in the province which would not only help meeting provincial requirements but surplus production would be available for export to other provinces and international market.
Rana Sanaullah said that price of wheat and flour was less in the Punjab province as compared to other provinces. City District Government had also been issued directives to ensure availability of cooked chapatti on reasonable rates and for taking action against those charging more than the prescribed rate.
To another question, he said that the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was working for solving the energy crisis, terrorism, ensuring provision of justice and relief to the common man. He said results of these efforts would soon start coming. He claimed that the present government was spending each penny of the nation on projects with full honesty and dedication.
