LAHORE: Bahawalpur is on top among nine divisions of Punjab in gunny bags distribution for wheat procurement, as it has completed 44 per cent of the task assigned by the government.

“Bahawalpur leads in Bardana (gunny bags) distribution among all divisions, as it has completed 44 per cent work in this regard,” Department’s Secretary Shaukat Ali told Dawn on Monday.

“After Bahawalpur in South Punjab, 40 per cent of gunny bags distribution has been completed in Sahiwal division, followed by DG Khan with 35 per cent and Multan with 34 per cent,” he added.

He said about 25 per cent work related to Bardana distribution had been completed in Lahore, Gujranwala and Sargodha divisions which launched the drive on April 24. He said 30 per cent bags distribution had been completed in Faisalabad division, while Rawalpindi, where the department would purchase just 5,000 tons of wheat, had so far completed around 30 per cent bags distribution.

When asked about complaints related to wrong cultivation record (Gardawri) and missing names of many growers, he said he didn’t see any problem at any wheat procurement centre he visited.

“It is wrong perception, as the cultivation record has been prepared/updated by the revenue officials under the supervision of the respective additional district collectors (revenue). Even though if someone faces any difficulty, he may contact the respective ADCRs who have been directed to address such issues,” he explained.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2017