PCCC restructuring likely to start taking shape next week

ISLAMABAD: The restructuring body, constituted to streamline Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC), is likely to meet next week to deliberate and authorise remedial measures proposed by a panel of experts, an official said on Thursday.

“A sub-committee has finalised its recommendations and proposals, which would be submitted in the meeting of the main committee for approval,” Khalid Abdullah, cotton commissioner at ministry of textile industry, told APP.

“The Restructuring Committee of the PCCC aims at reviving the apex cotton body for improving the yield as well as quality of this major cash crop, while developing textile industry especially value-added sector further.”

Abdullah said the committee has recommended the collection of cotton cess from textile mills through collectors of the respective district as per Cess Act 1923 in order to streamline the financial matters of the committee.

“Besides, it has also proposed to keep other testing fees and charges unchanged to promote the textile value-addition sector as well as output across the crop growing areas of the country,” he added.

The cotton commissioner said the committee also proposed the PCCC to multiply only early generation seed of popular varieties and multiplication may be done through provincial authorities or through private sector to ensure availability of seed for cotton growers. “Another suggestion was that the PCCC should auction its seed varieties through open competitive process to multiply the seed varieties to increase the yield,” Abdullah said adding that the committee also advocated for hiring a consultant to finalise the auction process and frame the details in this regard.

He further said that All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) was asked to share the name of a candidate for the consultant to develop the programme, and discuss the matter of non-payment of cess with their members and resolve the issue on priority.

“The committee has urged that the posts of vice president and chief executive officer should not be separated and for this office an expert having vast experience in cotton and cotton research, should be hired through open competitive process,” he said.

The Pakistan Central Cotton Committee, he said, was also asked for focusing on making cotton crop more profitable and competitive by exploring the possibility of sowing wheat in cotton areas by introducing agriculture economic and large-scale planting techniques.

Meanwhile, the committee has directed Cotton Research Institute Multan to prepare a concept note for the popularisation of sowing wheat along with cotton within 15 days with the consultation of other stakeholders.