LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif Tuesday presided over a meeting of Punjab Cabinet, which approved the wheat procurement policy 2017-18.
The target of purchasing four million metric tonnes of wheat has been set at the rate of Rs 1,300 per maund, while distribution of gunny bags would start from April 15. Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said the procedure of distribution of gunny bags would be transparent, and farmers would be given every possible facility at the wheat procurement centres. He said that rights of farmers would be defended during the procurement of wheat, and nobody would be allowed to deprive farmers of their due rights. “We will take a stern action against officials concerned in case of any complaint.”
He said that ministers, advisers and secretaries would visit wheat procurement centres, and he would also personally monitor the process of wheat procurement. He said that honest officers would be appointed in all 36 districts for wheat procurement campaign.
Shahbaz said that interest of small cultivators was very dear to him, and the government would purchase all wheat from them which they wanted to sell. He said that no one would be allowed to exploit farmers.
Referring to energy projects, Shahbaz Sharif said that 1,200MW Gas Power Project in Bhikki would start generating 750MW electricity this month. He said that both turbines of Bhikki Power Project were successfully undergoing trial test. He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would inaugurate the project. He said that third turbine of the project would become operational by the year-end.
Similarly, he said that 1,320MW Megawatt Sahiwal Coal Power Project would start generation 660MW electricity before Ramazan. He said that credit for the two projects went to the prime minister. “Had he not taken the decisions, the dream of elimination of load shedding would have never been materialised,” he added.
Meanwhile, MNA Sardar Awais Leghari called on the chief minister on Tuesday and discussed development and welfare projects being carried out in southern Punjab.
The chief minister told the lawmaker that the development and progress in southern Punjab was very important for him as additional resources worth billions of rupees had been earmarked for southern Punjab development. He said he was personally monitoring progress on development projects in southern Punjab.
He said the Multan metro bus project was a gift for the people of southern Punjab. He said opponents of public welfare projects were against the welfare of the poor. He said that the people would reject such elements in the coming general elections.
Separately, the chief minister Tuesday expressed grief and sorrow over the death of the former governor and the 1965 war hero Air Marshal (r) Azim Daudpota.
The chief minister paid tribute to the services of Azim Daudpota, and said he had displayed historic bravery and courage in the Pak-India war. He conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul.
