Punjab govt providing subsidy on cotton seeds

MULTAN: Punjab Agriculture Secretary Wasif Khursheed has said that he Punjab government is offering subsidy on cotton seeds.

He announced this in a statement issued here on Sunday. Wasif stated that Rs 1,000 per/acre was being offered to the farmers. He said that the subsidy was being provided on recommended seed varieties. The subsidy was being given through a voucher, present in seed packets, he told. He stated that the government was strictly monitoring provision of quality fertilisers and pesticides to boost agriculture sector. The persons found involved in selling of fake pesticides or fertilisers would be taken to task, he warned. They would not be allowed to exploit farmers, he said. He maintained that efforts were being made to ensure cotton cultivation at maximum area. Cotton was backbone of agriculture and economy of the country, he added.

crackdown on wheat stockers: Deputy Commissioner Amir Khattak has directed officers concerned to launch comprehensive crackdown on stockers of wheat. Taking action on low wheat procurement across the district due to rain and unpredictable weather conditions, the deputy commissioner directed all assistant commissioners to conduct raids at feed mills, flour mills, rice mills and private godowns to check wheat stock. He said that strict implementation of SOPs regarding smuggling of wheat would be ensured.

He said that over 2.1 million gunny bags had been set as wheat procurement target for the district out of which 55 per cent target has been achieved. He added that 5245 farmers have been issued Bardana. Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner Jalalpur Pirwala Ghulam Sarwar conducted raid on Permit Road and recovered wheat stock of 3,000 maunds from the godown of Jameel Shah. The wheat had been confiscated and given to Juguwala centre.

Similarly, Price Control Magistrate Malik Noman conducted raid on Khanewal Road and confiscated 200 maund wheat of a middle for selling 40kg wheat at Rs 1,470.

High alert issued in Wasa after rain: The high alert issued in Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) after rain in the city here on Sunday. Wasa Managing Director Khalid Naseem Chandio directed all sewerage divisions officials to go into the field with teams along with machinery and ensure drainage of rain water from city roads and metro routes on war-footing. The Wasa MD directed to run all disposal stations in full capacity and use generators in case of electricity loadshedding. He directed officials to ensure their presence into field till complete drainage of water from across the city. He directed to commence drainage operation as early as possible to avoid citizens from any inconvenience during transportation. According to rain report compiled by Wasa, 10mm rain was recorded at Chungi No-9, nine mm at Samejabad, 12mm at Old Shujabad and five mm at Karri Jamandan.

Farmers hail reduction in petroleum price: Farmers hailed remarkable reduction in the prices of petroleum products and stated that it would surely help for the improvement of agriculture sector.

The farmers while talking here stated that the reduction in prices of diesel would facilitate farmers. It would reduce many expenses on cultivation of crops, they added. They expressed that the oil prices were also main hurdle in way of promotion of agriculture sectors. The farmers had to borrow amounts for running tractors in field. It would decrease ploughing charges, they continued. The savings from diesel would be spent on some other needed inputs, they added. About petrol prices, they stated that government should shift benefits of petroleum to masses by keeping check on prices of daily used items they added.

39 Profiteers held: The district administration arrested 39 shopkeepers on charges of making undue profit during last 24 hours. According to officials, the special price control magistrates raided in different markets across the district to discourage profiteers. Cases were registered against six shopkeepers. Similarly, 33 shopkeepers were sent prison after summary trial. The shopkeepers were also fined Rs 229,500. The price control magistrates inspected 764 shops during the raids.