The provincial government is in contact with the federation over wheat support price issue and over-billing in electricity bills of tube wells: CS
Chief Secretary Punjab Kamran Ali Afzal has said that the fear of shortage of urea fertiliser has led to panic buying and a higher demand than the actual requirement. The Federal Industries Department had been requested to increase the supply, and the situation would improve soon.
He stated this during a meeting with a farmers’ delegation at the Civil Secretariat. The panel discussed the availability of urea fertiliser, proposed GST on farm implements, crop seeds and measures to improve the agriculture sector. The delegates informed the chief secretary about the problems of growers.
The chief secretary said that the transportation of fertilisers was being monitored through an online portal. He maintained that the effective administrative measures have helped end the smuggling of fertilisers. He said that he went to DG Khan and inspected the provincial border check-posts to review the arrangements to curb smuggling. He said that transportation of fertiliser outside of the province without providing necessary documents was not permitted in any case. He said that action was also being taken against the officers and officials involved in black-marketing of fertilisers.
The chief secretary said that mechanisation was underway to increase agriculture production. He said that the provincial government was in contact with the federation over the issue of wheat support price and over-billing in electricity bills of tube wells. He also asked secretary labour to implement wages for labourers. He directed the Livestock Department to ensure the vaccination of cattle against fatal diseases on a priority basis. He designed special projects to improve the livestock sector in the next annual development program.
The delegates appreciated the government’s efforts to resolve the problems of farmers. The delegation comprised All-Pakistan Kissan and Labour Ittihad Tanzeem President Sardar Mubashar Dogar, Pakistan Kissan Ittehad President Khalid Mehmood Khokhar, and others secretaries of agriculture, food and labour departments were also present on this occasion.
