Fida Hussnain Lahore
The farmers had been still waiting for relief as the protests and sit-ins could not bear any fruit for them for more than two weeks, the sources said on Tuesday.
“No decision has been made regarding wheat procurement despite protests and sit-ins,” said the sources while talking to Pakistan Observer.
The response came days after an announcement was made to issue wheat procurement to 119,000 registered farmers.
The sources said that no signal for wheat supply and procurement was given.
The farmers’ protests could not gain momentum, and nor were they given time for a meeting.
“The helpless farmers are compelled to sell wheat at lower prices than the government rates. Wheat is being sold in the open market from Rs2800 to Rs3300 per mound,” said the sources.
They said that the first-grade wheat is being sold at Rs3300 and 10% moisture wheat at Rs2800 per mound.
On the other hand, the flour mills purchased wheat at cheap rates and stored it. The flour mills allegedly filled their store with the cheap wheat.
Despite the government announcement, the distribution of wheat was supposed to start from April 20, but even after more than two weeks, no wheat was issued.
Khalid Hussain, President of the Farmers’ Union, said that the government had violated its promise to farmers. “The farmers have not been compensated for the preparation of the wheat crop. `The farmers will not forget the government’s complete negligence,” said Khalid Hussain.
Meanwhile, the NaanBai Association declared a strike across Punjab starting from Wednesday, protesting what they deem an ‘unfair’ price set by the authorities concerned.
