In another shocking scandal in Sindh, wheat worth billions of rupees was left to rot in the Sindh Food Department’s warehouses in the Landhi area of Karachi.
This wheat had been purchased to supply low-cost flour to residents of Karachi. However, due to mismanagement, it is no longer fit for human consumption, Samaa News reported on Wednesday.
According to the report, the sacks of wheat were placed in warehouses two to three years ago and have remained unused since 2021. Sources within the Food Department disclosed that even prior to 2021, millions of sacks of wheat were already stored in the warehouses.
The Sindh government has spent billions of rupees on the procurement and maintenance of this wheat. Sources further stated that the upkeep of the wheat in these warehouses could result in additional monthly expenses of approximately Rs. 2.43 billion.
To benefit farmers, the Sindh Food Department purchased wheat at a price higher than the market rate. While the market price of wheat was Rs. 7,000 per sack, the department bought it at the support price of Rs. 10,000 per sack.
However, if this wheat is sold at Rs. 7,500 per sack, it could result in a financial loss of Rs. 80 billion to the Sindh government.
Sindh Food Advisor Abdul Jabbar claimed that the wheat procured during the 2022–23 fiscal year is completely safe in the warehouses, and the spoiled stock pertains to wheat purchased before 2021.
He added that the exact quantity and value of the spoiled wheat cannot be immediately confirmed, but it will be used for purposes other than human consumption.
He also revealed that a decision has been made not to procure wheat in the current fiscal year.
