There have been reports of the NWFP government blaming the current Punjab government for causing a wheat supply crisis in the province by stopping the wheat supply from Punjab to NWFP and other provinces. Now, daily Kawish has also published an editiorial along the same lines. Are these complaints justified? Have Punjab goverment really banned supply of wheat to other provinces? What is the role of the federal government in this situation?
**Politics of wheat
Daily Kawish**
IT appears that Punjab has veto powers in every matter. It is not ready to respond positively to the call of the smaller provinces as well as of the centre. The latest move was its refusal to lift the ban on inter-provincial movement of wheat. The Federal Committee on Agriculture and three provinces demanded that Punjab government lift the ban but this appeal was rejected. Sindh is facing a wheat crisis which has been aggravated due to Punjab’s rigid attitude.
Even on issues such as financial resources, water distribution or any other matter, Punjab has been using its veto power. It has been looking out for its own interests and getting more than its due share.
During this tumultuous time of a wheat crisis, Punjab has banned the movement of wheat. This ban will adversely affect three provinces. Punjab is a big province where a large area of land is brought under cultivation. It is also getting more water. Therefore it has the ability to meet the wheat requirements of the other three provinces…. Punjab utilises electricity from NWFP, gas from Balochistan and water from Sindh. But it has refused to share its wheat with these provinces.
The food crisis in Sindh is worsening as millers and traders are not complying with the orders of the government. The administration has failed to implement the prices fixed by the government. A large amount of wheat has been smuggled out of the country while the remaining is lying with the hoarders…. The mismanagement of the Sindh government sparked the crisis while the ban made it worse. Why did the administration let the wheat crisis reach this point? The government has been ineffective in dealing with the mafia.
The solution to the wheat crisis is putting an end to smuggling. The ban on movement of wheat between provinces cannot be justified as hundreds of trucks of cement, fertilisers and other goods are going to Punjab. Sindh is not getting its share of water which has led to a fall in agriculture production. If investigated Punjab would be held responsible for it. Sadly, Punjab is letting the crisis grow.
It is strange that the federal government has failed to intervene and has stood by Punjab in getting an undue share in the NFC award. The federal government should step in and rescue the smaller provinces from the food crisis. — (Oct 23)