Bank officials asked to resolve Kisan Card issues

LAHORE: Punjab Agriculture Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani on Monday said that relevant officials of Bank of Punjab should contact farmers and resolve technical problems of farmers related to Kisan Card.

He said this while chairing a meeting which reviewed progress of Punjab chief minister’s Kisan package, campaign to cultivate more wheat and other projects here at Agriculture House. He emphasised to expedite the delivery of issued cards to farmers.

Under the Punjab Green Tractor Programme, 3,973 tractors had been delivered to farmers across various districts, out of the 9,500 winners selected through a draw, he added. He further said that overall 9,010 tractors would be delivered by the end of ongoing month besides delivering the remaining tractors by March 31.The minister highlighted the Punjab chief minister’s commitment to promote agricultural mechanisation in the province.

He encouraged service providers and the private sector to facilitate farmers in renting high-powered tractors and modern harvesters, ensuring easy access to advanced agricultural machinery. Under the solarisation of tube wells programme, over 500,000 applications had been received for shifting 8,000 electric and diesel-operated tube wells on solar systems. Among these, 60,000 applications were for diesel-operated tube wells, while 441,000 for electric-operated ones.

Under Phase 1 of Smog Control Programme, 1,000 super seeders had been delivered to farmers. In Phase II, 2,000 allotment letters had been issued, and 1,608 farmers had already deposited their shares.

By July 2025, an additional 4,000 super seeders would be distributed to prevent future burning of paddy residues, he added. The meeting also reviewed progress on establishing Agri Malls in Sahiwal, Sargodha, Multan, and Bahawalpur. Construction in this regard had been completed up to 79pc in Sahiwal, 60pc in Sargodha, 70pc in Multan and 62pc in Bahawalpur.