Punjab Government's Wheat Subsidy Dilemma Leaves Farmers in Limbo
Lahore April 30: The Punjab government remains undecided on proposals regarding subsidies for small farmers amid wheat procurement challenges, sources from the food department reveal.
According to the food department source, only 120,000 farmers fulfil the criteria of the government's wheat purchase policy and the wheat subsidies to these eligible farmers could incur a hefty expenditure exceeding 5 billion rupees.
Efforts to mollify farmers through potential subsidies of a few hundred rupees per mund seem unlikely to quell ongoing protests, indicating a looming impasse.
While the government stands prepared to procure wheat with a 10% moisture threshold, adverse weather conditions have rendered such wheat scarce in Punjab's districts, with moisture levels surpassing 16%.
Critics suggest the government's approach to wheat procurement is politically motivated, despite possessing ample reserves for the upcoming year. However, challenges posed by moisture content and economic constraints complicate the situation.
Meanwhile, farmers' discontent grows as they decry the government's failure to purchase wheat at an acceptable rate. Farmer leader Khalid Baath vows to prolong protests until their demands are met.
As the standoff persists, Punjab's agricultural landscape remains uncertain, awaiting decisive action from the authorities.
