Politics of wheat
Politics of wheat
Daily Kawish
It appears that Punjab has veto powers in every matter. It is not ready to responding positively to the call of smaller brothers as well as the centre. The latest one experience is its refusal to lift ban on inter-provincial movement of wheat. The federal committee on agriculture and three provinces demanded of the Punjab government to lift the ban. But the Punjab rejected this appeal.
Sindh is braving the worst wheat crisis which is aggregating due to the stubbornness of Punjab.
There is issue of financial resources, or water distribution or any other matter Punjab has been using its veto power and has been carving a formula which suits its interests and getting more and more than its due share. When turn of smaller provinces, it changes its attitude. Means it can get from smaller brothers and would not give them.
Presently, three provinces, particularly Sindh was witnessing worst wheat flour crisis and at this difficult time Punjab has banned the movement of wheat. This ban would hit hard the three provinces. Punjab is big province where a large area is brought under cultivation. It is also getting more water. Therefore it was bound to fulfill the food requirements of three provinces. In case of NFC award Punjab insisted to distribute the financial resources only on population basis. Punjab claims its right on electricity of NWFP, gas of Balochistan and water of Sindh. But it is not coming to rescue three provinces in food crisis.
The food crisis is aggregating in Sindh day by day, where people were purchasing wheat flour for Rs 35 to 40 per kg. ….Millers and traders were not complying with the orders of the government. The administration has failed to implement the prices fixed by the government. Likewise was not controlling hoarding. Big wheat stocks were smuggled out of the country while remaining is lying with the hoarders… The mismanagement of Sindh government sparked crisis, and now ban by Punjab has further deteriorated the situation.
Why the administrators let wheat crisis touch a dangerous point. .. The government is helpless before the mafia involved in the smuggling of wheat. This situation led to knock the door of big brother….
The permanent solution of wheat crisis is to put an end to smuggling. Food grain movement by some other country is understandable, but by a province in one country is intolerable. Hundred of trucks of cement, fertilizers and other goods are going to Punjab. If Sindh is banning transportation of these items would it be justified? Sindh is not getting its due share of water. This has rendered vast lands barren and decrease in agriculture production. If investigated Punjab would be held responsible for it. Sorry to say Punjab is leaving Sindh alone to suffer the food shortage.
It is strange that federal government has failed to to intervene and stop Punjab from playing politics with a staple food item. Federal government stands with Punjab while giving undue share in NFC award. But in case of smaller provinces the federal government is not coming to their rescue. The federal government should step in and get rescued the provinces from food crisis. - (Oct 23)
Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi
Daily Kawish
It appears that Punjab has veto powers in every matter. It is not ready to responding positively to the call of smaller brothers as well as the centre. The latest one experience is its refusal to lift ban on inter-provincial movement of wheat. The federal committee on agriculture and three provinces demanded of the Punjab government to lift the ban. But the Punjab rejected this appeal.
Sindh is braving the worst wheat crisis which is aggregating due to the stubbornness of Punjab.
There is issue of financial resources, or water distribution or any other matter Punjab has been using its veto power and has been carving a formula which suits its interests and getting more and more than its due share. When turn of smaller provinces, it changes its attitude. Means it can get from smaller brothers and would not give them.
Presently, three provinces, particularly Sindh was witnessing worst wheat flour crisis and at this difficult time Punjab has banned the movement of wheat. This ban would hit hard the three provinces. Punjab is big province where a large area is brought under cultivation. It is also getting more water. Therefore it was bound to fulfill the food requirements of three provinces. In case of NFC award Punjab insisted to distribute the financial resources only on population basis. Punjab claims its right on electricity of NWFP, gas of Balochistan and water of Sindh. But it is not coming to rescue three provinces in food crisis.
The food crisis is aggregating in Sindh day by day, where people were purchasing wheat flour for Rs 35 to 40 per kg. ….Millers and traders were not complying with the orders of the government. The administration has failed to implement the prices fixed by the government. Likewise was not controlling hoarding. Big wheat stocks were smuggled out of the country while remaining is lying with the hoarders… The mismanagement of Sindh government sparked crisis, and now ban by Punjab has further deteriorated the situation.
Why the administrators let wheat crisis touch a dangerous point. .. The government is helpless before the mafia involved in the smuggling of wheat. This situation led to knock the door of big brother….
The permanent solution of wheat crisis is to put an end to smuggling. Food grain movement by some other country is understandable, but by a province in one country is intolerable. Hundred of trucks of cement, fertilizers and other goods are going to Punjab. If Sindh is banning transportation of these items would it be justified? Sindh is not getting its due share of water. This has rendered vast lands barren and decrease in agriculture production. If investigated Punjab would be held responsible for it. Sorry to say Punjab is leaving Sindh alone to suffer the food shortage.
It is strange that federal government has failed to to intervene and stop Punjab from playing politics with a staple food item. Federal government stands with Punjab while giving undue share in NFC award. But in case of smaller provinces the federal government is not coming to their rescue. The federal government should step in and get rescued the provinces from food crisis. - (Oct 23)
Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi
Labels: Sindh, wheat-Politics
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