KARACHI: In a bid to achieve the procurement target, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah has approved the release of Rs2.5 billion for the purchase of 200,000 tons of wheat.
He approved release of amount, while presiding over a joint meeting of the food and finance departments at the Chief Minister House.
Briefing the chief minister, Provincial Food Minister Gianchand Israni said that 836,000 tons of wheat had been bought so far and the remaining procurement was in progress, but funds for more procurement had not yet been released.
The chief minister directed the finance department to release the required funds to the food department.
Finance Secretary Sohail Rajput told the chief minister that the food department had demanded Rs3.5 billion, out of which Rs2 billion have already been released and the remaining Rs1.5 billion will be issued on Friday (today).
The chief minister gave orders for the removal of district food controllers, who were facing complaints of corruption, and said their cases should be sent to the anti-corruption department.
