Wheat release price fixed at Rs4,700 per 40kg

LAHORE: The Punjab government has fixed the release price of wheat for flour mills at Rs4,700 per maund, effectively eliminating misappropriation of grains through quota at the hand of inefficient mills and staff of provincial Food Department illegally involved in the trading.

Provincial Caretaker Information and Local Government Minister Amir Mir and Agriculture Minister SM Tanveer in this connection made an announcement here at DGPR office while addressing a press conference on Wednesday.

Amir Mir said that the wheat quota system was causing multiple problems in the issue of wheat, so the government has decided to impose a complete ban on all sorts of quota system and this decision of the government will stabilise the prices of flour in the market.

The minister said that the support price of wheat has also been set at Rs4,000 per maund for the upcoming wheat marketing year 2024-25.

In response to a question, the provincial minister said that the government is taking all necessary steps to protect the interests of the farmers.

The government is fully vigilant on this issue and this policy will strictly be monitored and reviewed every fortnight.

Amir Mir said that important decisions have been taken in the meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Punjab to ensure compensation to the farmers for their hard work. The wheat release policy has also been approved in the meeting, while it has further been decided to impose a ban on all types of quotas regarding wheat release.

Provincial Information Minister Amir Mir in response to a question said that the caretaker government of Punjab is working on programmes for the welfare of journalists and in this regard, the Chief Minister will give a good news to the journalists at the beginning of the new year.

Provincial Agriculture Minister SM Tanveer said that wheat would be cultivated on an area of 16 million acres and a production target of 40 maund per acre has been set. The availability of seeds, fertilizers, water and other agricultural inputs has been ensured to achieve the said target, he added.

It was informed on the occasion that the sugarcane crushing season would start from November 20 in the province.