PML-N making money in wheat procurement: Pervez Elahi

Pakistan Muslim League-Q leader and Senior Federal Minister for Industries and Defence Production Ch. Parvez Elahi Tuesday said that PML-N is punishing the farmers for their “crime” of producing wheat.Addressing a press conference at the State Guest House, PML-Q leader and Senior Federal Minister for Industries and Defence Production Ch. Parvez Elahi said that ‘bar-dana’ scandal is the biggest fraud than all the schemes of the ‘Khadim-e-A’ala’ (Shahbaz Sharif).He said that Sharif Brothers’ hatred against farmers is continuing in an unending manner, therefore the farmers of Punjab have been suffering due to the PML-N.He said that we had started practical movement for South Punjab province whereas N-League’s leadership has always ignored the rights and problems of the people of South Punjab.Ch. Parvez Elahi said that announcement of the Punjab Government for procurement of 35-lakh tons wheat is also a fraud. He said according to our information the officials concerned have been directed to procure only 25 percent of the announced 35-lakh tons wheat. He said this is established by the fact that ‘bar-dana’ has been released in very less quantity.Parvez Elahi charged that the Punjab Govt. is using such hostile tactics to favour N-League parliamentarians and favourites in wheat procurement, which is also resulting in the greater exploitation of the farmers of South Punjab who produce maximum wheat.He said that instead of ‘bar-dana’ being distributed at wheat procurement centers it is being sold in black at the N-League parliamentarians and the favourites places. The official rate for wheat prominent is Rs. 1050 per mound but the farmer is being faced to sell his product at low rate of Rs. 850 to Rs. 900 per mound. Last year 16 bags per acre were provided whereas now it is just 4 to 8 bags per acre and that too after lot of trouble and being pushed around and paying bribe of Rs. 70 to Rs. 100 per bag.He said that entire quantity of wheat being offered by farmers is not being fully procured so that the farmer is forced to sell the commodity at much low rates, and then N-League people at official rates thus earning Rs. 150 to Rs. 200 per mound sell this wheat at the procurement centers.He said that bar-dana scandal is also a big fraud involving billions of rupees like Tandoor Scheme, Ashiana Scheme, Yellow Cab Scheme and Laptop Scheme.Responding to a questions, the PML-Q leader said that Pakistan Muslim League is the first national party whose Central Executive committee had in its meeting in Islamabad adopted a resolution which called for setting up of new provinces on administrative basis including South Punjab and Hazara so that backwardness of these areas and sense of deprivation of the people is removed and all areas of Pakistan get equal opportunities for progress and development.