Surplus stock of wheat, sugar, rice, maize available

ISLAMABAD: Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan Friday apprised the National Assembly that surplus stock of essential food items including wheat, rice, sugar and maize, was available in the country.

Responding to various questions during Question Hour, he said currently 5 million tons wheat, 4 million tons rice, 1.5 million tons sugar and 2 million ton maize were in the stock.

He said there was no proposal under consideration to introduce Ration Card system in the country as rationing was introduced during shortage and price hike.

The Minister said the government used the channel of utility stories corporation for supply of the essential food items to the general public at the reasonable rates whenever required.

Regarding a supplementary question, he said Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation Ltd (PASSCO) procured over 100,000 tons wheat in Sindh and surplus stock was available in Sindh and Balochistan.

Regarding inquiry about appointments in PASSCO, the minister said National Accountability Bureau was conducting inquiry in this regard.

Meanwhile, Minister for Housing and Works Akram Khan Durrani said summary had been sent to the Prime Minister for eligibility of constitutional bodies employees for government accommodation. The case was being pursued vigorously, he added.