Provincial Minister for Agriculture, Dr. Farrukh Javed has said that the procurement of sugarcane by sugar mills from sugarcane growers of Punjab at fixed rates will be ensured at any cost. He directed to assure that process of purchase of sugarcane by sugar mills from farmers should not be stopped at all. He said that the Chief Minister has ordered indiscriminate action as per law against those sugar mills not purchasing sugarcane from farmers at fixed rates. He said that Punjab government will fully protect interests of the cultivators.
Minister for Agriculture, Dr. Farrukh JAved expressed these views during a meeting with farmers’ delegation here today. Dr. Farrukh Javed said that the Commissioners and DCOs are directed to submit reports regarding procurement of sugarcane from farmers at fixed rates on daily basis. He said people should refrain from political point scoring on the issue of cultivators. Minister Agriculture said that Muslim League-N government is farmer friendly. He said that government will give a subsidy of Rs. 22 billion on providing electricity at flat rate of Rs. 10.35 for giving relief to the farmers which is a unique example in the history of the country. Provincial Minister said that Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif while protecting the interests of the farmers has announced not to reduce the rate of sugarcane and is also providing Rs. 10 billion for giving a subsidy of Rs. 5000 per acre to paddy farmers of the province. Dr. Farrukh Javed told that financial assistance of Rs. 10 thousand per acre was provided as compensation to the farmers of flood affected districts first time in the history of the country. He said that government has reduced the price of wheat seed of Rs.100 per bag for the facility of farmers. He said that Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has clearly announced not to reduce the prices of sugarcane and administration is directed to insure the purchase of sugarcane from farmers at fixed rates.