Brokers influencing KP wheat procurement

PESHAWAR: The ongoing wheat procurement process by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government from the open market has come under scrutiny as brokers, allegedly backed by powerful bureaucrats and elected assembly members, are said to be influencing the process.

The procurement involves the purchase of 0.3 million metric tons of wheat worth Rs. 29 billion, but the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Anti-Corruption Department have distanced themselves from overseeing the procedure, raising concerns about a potential wheat scandal in the province.

A businessperson involved in Punjab’s open market wheat trade revealed that while the market price for 100 kilograms (kg) of wheat in Punjab is Rs. 8,000, the KP Food Department is procuring the same quantity for Rs. 9,750. This discrepancy is reportedly being exploited by brokers who, in collusion with Food Department officials, are buying wheat cheaply from Punjab’s farmers and selling it at inflated prices to the KP government.

In response to these irregularities, KP Secretary of Food has taken action against four Food Department officials. The Deputy Director of Food in Kohat and Haripur, along with Assistant Food Controllers in Malakand, have been suspended, and the District Food Controller (DFC) of Malakand has been removed from his post.

The KP Food Department has planned to procure 0.286 million metric tons of wheat from Punjab’s open market and an additional 14,000 metric tons from local farmers in the province. To facilitate this, 22 procurement centers have been established, with the largest center in Azakhel, Nowshera, designated to handle 74,200 metric tons of wheat.

Food Department officials told HUM News English that the Secretary of Food, KP, is under significant pressure from both bureaucrats and elected assembly members who are pushing for expedited procurement through their favored parties.

Provincial Minister for Food, Zahir Shah Toru, and Secretary of Food, Zarif Almani, assured that to ensure transparency, CCTV cameras have been installed at all procurement centers. They reported that 20,000 metric tons of wheat have been procured so far, and action has been taken against four officials due to irregularities.

The Secretary of Food mentioned that letters were sent to NAB and Anti-Corruption to monitor the procurement process, but these agencies did not participate in the monitoring. He added that the procurement of 0.3 million metric tons of wheat is expected to be completed by June 30.

The situation continues to develop as authorities strive to manage the procurement process amid the ongoing pressures and allegations.