A recent report has exposed Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation’s (Passco) officials involvement in selling gunny bags to traders for Rs300 to Rs900 per bag instead of providing them to farmers in Bahawalnagar district.
Farmers are protesting against officials, alleging corruption in selling gunny bags to traders and making illegal deductions of wheat per bag.
They’ve taken over Passco centers and halted bag supply, sparking concerns of a potential law and order issue, as per an Intelligence Bureau report.
Revenue, Passco, and intelligence sources stated that 22 Passco centers were set up in Minchinabad and Bahawalnagar tehsils for wheat procurement. The report revealed that traders received bags with commissions, with 70% sold at Bahawalnagar centers and 70-80% at Minchinabad centers.
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In Bahawalnagar, Passco centers sold gunny bags to multiple traders. For instance, Mari Mian center sold 44,500 bags to 10 traders, while Chishtian Road center sold 27,500 bags to eight traders.
Similarly, other centers also sold varying quantities to several traders, raising concerns about fair distribution.
On April 28, the Bahawalnagar assistant commissioner seized 16,000 gunny bags from two commission agents, alleging they obtained them through bribery from Passco officials. Despite complaints, no action was taken.
