The treasury and opposition benches in the Punjab Assembly session expressed reservations about the Punjab government's wheat policy and the House rejected the government's announcement to buy up to six acres of wheat.

Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmed Khan constituted a committee consisting of Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman and Bilal Yasin on the wheat procurement issue.

The session of the Punjab Assembly was chaired by Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan.

SAMAA TV reported Food Minister Bilal Yasin could not satisfy the House on the issue of wheat procurement drive announced by the Punjab government.  

In a rare gesture of unity, treasury benches and opposition members agreed on the issue of farmers.

PA speaker said that the Minister of Food was asked to meet the Chief Minister (Maryam Nawaz Sharif) today to brief the House on the policy, but no policy has been decided yet.

The government and opposition members urged the government to hold investigation on the issue of wheat import.

Punjab food minister's stance

Food Minister Bilal Yasin said that 150,000 requests have been received on the Kisan App (online) and wheat will be purchased from these farmers.

Opposition member Rana Shehbaz said that the government is not serious about the issue of farmers and opposition will boycott the Punjab Assembly proceedings on Friday.

The government and opposition members proposed that the government could buy wheat on deferred payment if there are some monetary challenges.  

Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan said at the end of the debate that today the House has rejected the policy of buying wheat up to six acres and set up a committee consisting of Mujtaba Shujaur Rahman and Bilal Yasin.

After completing the agenda, the meeting was adjourned till 9 am on Friday morning.

 In a notification issued by the Punjab government on April 16 on divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, deputy directors’ food, all district food controllers, it was stated: “I am directed to relief to the subject noted above and to state that the Provencal Cabinet has approved the Wheat Procurement Policy 2024-35, which is enclosed for your information and immediate necessary action.”

Bardana through the Bardana App

According to a spokesman of the Food Department, farmers can submit requests for Bardana through the Bardana App.

After verification by Punjab Information Technology Board and the Punjab Land Record Authority, farmers will receive confirmation messages through the Bardana APP.

The issuance of Bardana will commence from Friday next and will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.

The spokesman said a total of three hundred and ninety-three wheat procurement centers have been set up across the province where wheat would be bought from farmers at the fixed price of Rs3900 per maund.

Moreover, every farmer will be paid thirty rupees per 100 kg for delivery charges.

A control room has also been set up for resolving complaints during the wheat procurement campaign.