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Thursday March 28, 2024

Wheat procurement Massive reshuffle in Food Dept

By Munawar Hasan
March 29, 2019

LAHORE: Massive reshuffle of all senior officials of Food Department deputed in the field has been done ahead of wheat procurement campaign.

According to two separate notifications, all Deputy Directors of Divisions and District Food Controllers (DFCs) of all districts of the province have been transferred from their respective posts with immediate effect. Such large-scale transfers and postings are being seen as a rare move by the provincial government.

Previously, only those officers were transferred every year who wished to get some lucrative posts before launch of wheat procurement campaign. Field duty is considered first choice of the DFCs due to obvious reasons, said sources.

In this regard, they added, posting in southern Punjab districts is considered most preferred choice as quantum of wheat is greater in this region due to surplus production of grains. There are rampant allegations of corruption on transfer and posting of these officials. In this connection, the role of high-ups, especially working at Food Directorate are repeatedly pointed out by various quarters, claimed sources.

Sources were of the view that alleged corrupt practices of senior field officers of Food Department could not be effectively checked through mere practice of random transfer and postings. There is however needed to strictly monitor wheat procurement process, subsequent storage of grain, transportation of wheat from one district to other and allocation of stored grains to private sector.

As per notification issued by Secretary Food Punjab, Deputy Director, Multan Division has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Sargodha Division. Deputy Director, Sargodha Division has been transferred and directed to report Food Directorate. Deputy Director, Bahawalpur Division has been transferred and directed to report to Food Directorate. Deputy Director, Sahiwal Division has been transferred and directed to report to Food Directorate. Deputy Director, DG Khan Division has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Multan.

Assistant Director, Bahawalpur Division has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, DG Khan Division. Assistant Director, awaiting posting has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Bahawalpur Division. Deputy Director, Rawalpindi Division has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Faisalabad Division. Deputy Director, Faisalabad Division has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Gujranwala Division; Deputy Director, Lahore Division has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Sahiwal Division.

Deputy Director, working as Additional Director Food, Food Directorate has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Lahore Division while he will also hold additional charge of Additional Director Food. Deputy Director, Gujranwala Division has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Rawalpindi Division.

As per the wheat procurement policy approved by the provincial government, wheat will be purchased from farmers at the rate of Rs1,300 per maund. The process will start with receiving of applications for the distribution of gunny bags from April 8 which will last till April 15. The distribution of gunny bags to farmers will commence from April 21.