Passco distributes sacks to 72,000 growers

ISLAMABAD: The government constituted Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation Limited (Passco) to ensure fair distribution of gunny sacks among growers, an official said on Tuesday.

Parliamentary Secretary for Food and Agriculture Rajab Ali Baloch, speaking in the National Assembly, said so far the sacks had been distributed among more than 72,000 growers in 215 centres across the country in a transparent manner.

Baloch said anyone who is found involved in malpractices with regard to distribution of gunny sacks will be punished. Growers were given sacks as per the standards, he added.

He said all relevant details and information have been provided to the house, showing the distribution of sacks is being made on merit.

The secretary claimed that the farmers could not present any evidence or proof in federal ombudsmen and courts of law about the unfair distribution of sacks. He added that inquiry would be initiated if any member of the house provides a concrete proof.

He, however, said there is a need for changing prescribed rules of Passco to ensure more transparency and a new mechanism for fair wheat procurement, besides rectifying revenue record’s issues.

Speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq said the ministry seems helpless. “It should play more effective role in order to protect the interest of poor growers,” he said.

Sadiq sought a report from the ministry and movers of the calling attention notice in 15 days. The issue will be referred to the Federal Investigation Agency or National Accountability Bureau following the report.