[March 26, 2009] PASCO to lift one million tons of damaged rice Tweet KARACHI, Mar 25, 2009 (Asia Pulse Data Source via COMTEX) -- PASCO has finally decided to lift paddy and rice which was damaged in rains and for this purpose 200 procurement centres are being opened in rice growing areas of upper and lower Sindh. This was stated by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah while addressing a press conference at Chief Minister House here Wednesday. Sindh Minister for Agriculture, Syed Ali Nawaz Shah and Information Minister Shazia Marri were also present on the occasion besides other senior officials of PASCO and Sindh Government. The Chief Minister thanked President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani for coming to the rescue of affected rice growers, as a result of which PASCO is going to lift about one million tons of damaged or non-damaged paddy and rice. He said that Paddy will be procured at Rs 700 per maund and Rice at Rs 1200 per maund while damaged paddy will be lifted for Rs 600 and Rice at Rs 1000 per maund and entire procurement process will be completed by April 30. He said the growers would bring their produce at their nearest centres and will be paid the price through cheque on the spot. The Chief Minister pointed out that in order to further compensate the affected growers, the Sindh Government has already waived the recovery of land revenue and abiana. He told a questioner that paddy production has been estimated at 2.5 million tons and PASCO will lift about one million tons as already some paddy and rice have been purchased in the private sector. Qaim Ali Shah pointed out that this year Sindh had a bumper crop as growers brought more area under crop cultivation because of very high prices in the international market last year. He said that it had been the desire and wish of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto that common people and specially poors are provided maximum relief. He said the farmers suffered gravely because of damage caused to their cops during last spell of rains and the government in keeping with the commitment of Shaheed Mohtarma has been taking every step to provide them due relief and compensate their losses. He said that according to an estimate about 70 percent crop was damaged. He said the modus operandi for lifting of paddy crop and rice was decided in a meeting with the Chairman PASCO held at Chief Minister House on Tuesday. He informed that at the 200 centres which will be setup within two days, the senior DDO Revenue, EDOs Agriculture and concerned DCOs would oversee the procurement process to ensure transparency. He told a questioner that PASCO will lift paddy whether damaged or undamaged at the prices fixed in their meeting with him. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]