ISLAMABAD: National Food Security and Research Minister Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan on Friday apprised the National Assembly that surplus stock of essential food items including wheat, rice, sugar and maize was available in the country. Responding to various questions during Question Hour, he said that currently 5 million tonnes of wheat, 4 million tonnes of rice, 1.5 million tonnes of sugar and 2 million tonnes of maize were in stock. He said that there was no proposal under consideration to introduce ration card system in the country as rationing was introduced during shortage and price hike. The minister said that the government used the channel of Utility Stores Corporation for supply of essential food items to the general public at reasonable rates whenever required. Regarding a supplementary question, he said that Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation Ltd (PASSCO) procured over 100,000 tonnes wheat in Sindh and surplus stock was available in Sindh and Balochistan. Regarding an inquiry about appointments in PASSCO, the minister said that National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was conducting an inquiry in the matter. Meanwhile, Housing and Works Minister Akram Khan Durrani said that a summary had been sent to the Prime Minister for eligibility of constitutional bodies employees for government accommodation. The case was being pursued vigorously, he added. Published in Daily Times, October 7th 2017.