Wheat procurement process must remain transparent, efficient: Secretary Food

LAHORE, Apr 21 (APP):Punjab Secretary Food Safety and Consumer Protection Dr. Kiran Khurshid conducted visits to wheat procurement centres in Muridke, Kamoke, Sheikhupura and Gujranwala to review the procurement arrangements and registration processes.
During the inspections, she met farmers and aggregators and received direct feedback regarding their issues and suggestions. She directed the authorities concerned to ensure immediate resolution of farmers’ problems and provide them maximum facilitation at all levels.
The Secretary instructed staff at procurement centres to further streamline, accelerate and make the wheat procurement process more transparent so that farmers do not face any difficulties. She stressed that all stages of the process must be completed in an organised manner in line with the government policy.
Dr. Kiran Khurshid said that wheat procurement in Punjab was continuing at the fixed rate of Rs 3,500 per maund, and the government was taking all possible measures to protect farmers’ interests. She further emphasized that transparency, efficiency and timely payments would be ensured in the procurement process to maintain farmers’ confidence and ensure smooth implementation of the wheat procurement campaign across the province.