A Punjab Cabinet meeting at the CM Office on Thursday with Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar in the chair gave approval to the wheat procurement campaign 2020-21.

The meeting decided to fix the wheat price at Rs1400 per maund (40kg), while the wheat procurement target was set at 4.5 million metric tons. Flour mills were allowed to purchase wheat but there will be a ban on wheat trading by them.

The meeting also decided to do away with the condition of ‘gardawari’ and farmers will now be given gunny bags on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. It was further decided to start wheat procurement campaign in southern Punjab districts at the end of this month.

Addressing the meeting, Buzdar said that provincial ministers will monitor the wheat procurement campaign while the district administration will ensure achieving the wheat procurement target. The cabinet committee will review the procurement campaign.

The chief minister vowed to protect the rights of wheat growers adding that gunny bags' distribution would be very transparent and judicious. Payment to farmers will be ensured at a fixed price, he added. All facilities would be provided at the wheat procurement centres.

The cabinet also approved imposition of public health emergency in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.

Usman Buzdar reiterated he would take necessary steps, adding that committees should submit their recommendations and the Punjab government would take every possible step in this regard. The Health Department will be provided necessary resources to purchase necessary medical equipment, he stated. The meeting decided to launch a public awareness campaign about coronavirus and the chief minister emphasized that the Punjab government take lead in steps to deal with coronavirus.

The meeting approved G2G arrangements with National Radio Communication Corporation for the supply of vehicles, retro-reflective number plates and further decided to create a separate Tourism Department by bifurcating it from the Youth Affairs & Sports Department. Approval of amendment in Stamp Act 1899 (Act II of 1899), Punjab Police (Special Branch) Intelligence Cadre Service Rules 2012 and schedule of Sub Inspectors and Inspectors (Appointment & Conditions of Service) Rules 2013 was given by the cabinet. Amendments in rules for the supply of water to power plants by Irrigation Department was also approved along with the endorsement of minutes of 25th and 26th cabinet meetings.

Similarly, endorsement of decisions made at 25th and 26th Cabinet Standing Committee for Finance & Development meeting and 21st meeting of Cabinet Standing Committee for Legislative Business was also given. The meeting expressed a deep sense of sorrow over the crash of PAF plane in Islamabad and offered prayers for Wing Commander Noman Akram. It also thanked the Chief Minister Usman Buzdar for working day and night for the establishment of Southern Punjab Secretariat.

The meeting was told that out of 71 suspected coronavirus patients, the tests of 66 patients were negative while the result of five other patients are awaited. Out of 20 confirmed coronavirus patients, 14 belong to Sindh, five to Gilgit-Baltistan and one to Balochistan. Similarly, screening of three thousand Chinese nationals is complete in Punjab and screening of around four thousand pilgrims coming from Iran is under way. Along with it, quarantine facility has been set up for 800 patients in DG Khan and a high dependency unit and isolation wards have been established in DHQ hospitals. Health secretaries gave briefings about the coronavirus situation.

Provincial ministers, advisers, special assistants, chief secretary and concerned secretaries attended the meeting.