The PML-N-led Punjab government is in a dilemma – it is facing its first real test, the first real confrontation since coming to power. And, the reason is none other than wheat. Every year, in one way or the other, this staple crop becomes the reason for giving many sleepless nights to any government.
Last year, an estimated 5 to 6pc of the wheat crop worth Rs23 billion was damaged by heavy rains and hailstorms in several districts of Punjab. According to the Kissan Board Pakistan, 70pc of the crop had flattened by hailstorms and winds in certain areas.
This year around, however, the issue is not the damaged crop; it is the government’s decision to procure less wheat. This has prompted farmers to take to the streets as a last resort.
As per Punjab government sources, the caretaker government had imported 3.2 million tonnes of wheat, therefore, there was sufficient available stock. As a result, the provincial government decided to procure less wheat due to sufficient carryover stock.
The caretaker government’s decision to procure wheat at a time when the harvesting season was approaching was both irresponsible and ill-timed. On top if this, the provincial government came up with a policy that was flawed and instead of resolving the issue, had only complicated the situation.
Every season the provincial government procured around four million tonnes of wheat to fulfill the needs. This time, it has curtailed the purchase by nearly half. Besides, its reluctance to announce the procurement date, which normally was April 22, forced many farmers to sell wheat to the middlemen at lower prices.
The wheat support price fixed by the government is Rs3,900 per 40kg, but the farmers sold it at lower prices, ranging from Rs3,000 to Rs3,100.
The government, on the other hand, claims that it would purchase the wheat when the moisture in the crop due to the recent rains reduces to 10 per cent. At present it was around 16 per cent and procuring it now would result in loss to the naional exchequer.
The government launched a crack down on protesting farmers who had gathered at GPO Chowk in Lahore and tried to march towards the Punjab Assembly. The riot police prevented them and took dozens of farmers into custody. Similar arrests were made in other districts of the province. This is reminiscent of what happened in Indian Punjab when farmers drove their tractors into New Delhi.
The current setup should therefore take steps to resolve the matter quickly. The province is the bread basket of the country and the farmers are an important part of it. They should not be left high and dry. A mechanism should be evolved to support them. The government should keep in mind that many of its party members are from the rural side and they cannot afford to stay aloof from what all is happening.
Act quickly and pacify the farmers.
