Govt.approves subsidy plan for providing fertilizers to the farmers :Dr. Farrukh Javed

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has informed Federal Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar about the decision of not making any increase in the concessionary rates of electricity fixed during the last year for the farmers and maintaining it at Rs.10.35 for one year. The Chief Minister has also directed to evolve a policy as soon as possible for giving subsidy to farmers on the prices of fertilizers. Punjab government is endeavoring for prosperity of the farmers and providing facilities to them. The decision of maintaining concessionary rates for tube-wells is an important step towards welfare of the cultivators.

These views were expressed by Provincial Minister for Agriculture Dr. Farrukh Javed while talking to mediamen after a high level meeting. The Minister informed that different options were considered for giving subsidy of 14 billion rupees on the prices of fertilizers to the farmers in the meeting presided over by Punjab Chief Minister and suggestions were sought from different departments. He informed that the Chief Minister has directed to evolve a policy in the light of these proposals and implementing the same. Replying to a question, the Minister said the meeting decided that the concessionary rate of electricity of Rs.10.35 per unit given to the farmers for their tube-wells should be maintained for one more year. He informed that the government has accepted the long-standing demand of cultivators while continuing its farmer-friendly policy. The meeting recommended that federal government after preparation of necessary documents, should announce its final decision of giving subsidy on fertilizers and maintaining the concessionary rates of electricity.

It may be remembered that all these decisions were taken in the meeting presided over by Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif which was also attended by Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Food Security Sikandar Hayat Bosan, Minister of State on Water and Power Abid Sher Ali, Provincial Minister for Agriculture Dr. Farrukh Javed, Secretary Irrigation Punjab Ali Tahir and officers of concerned departments.