PPP should implement PM?s package for farmers in Sindh: Pervaiz
 

ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid on Wednesday said the government was fully cognizant of the needs of farmers and had provided them a variety of incentives to cover up income shortfall due to stagnation in international market.

The minister categorically rejected the allegations of Opposition Leader Khursheed Shah and said it would have been better if he could get implemented the prime minister’s package in Sindh by ensuring matching share of the provincial government to facilitate poorest farmers in his party’s-led province.

“Agriculture is backbone of our eco**my,” he said addressing a news conference outside the Parliament House. He said some opposition parties were bent upon politicking on the issue but the PML-N would **t let them playing with the sentiments of poor farmers.

Sharing details, he said the Urea price in 2013 was Rs 2,050 per bag that had been reduced to Rs 1,400 by the present government. Similarly, the price of DAP was Rs 3,900 per bag but currently stood at Rs 2,650.

Furthermore, the minister said the price of electricity for tube wells under the use of farmers had been reduced to Rs 5.35 per unit from the PPP tenure’s price of Rs 10.50 per unit for which the government would pay Rs 27 billion to power sector.

He also mentioned to payment of Rs 5,000 per acre to small farmers as cash support to cover up losses in rice and cotton crops. “Under this mechanism, 50 per cent amount had to be paid by the federal government and 50 percent by respective provincial governments,” he explained.

He said since the Punjab government had provided its 50 per cent share so the payment has been made to all eligible farmers in the province. But other provinces, he added, could **t manage their portion of the payment so they were lagging behind in facilitating their farmers.

Pervaiz said diesel for farmers in 2013 was being provided at Rs 110 per litre which has been brought down to Rs 72.55 per litre. “Our party led government in Punjab is also providing cheaper ‘Green Tractors’ to farmers on 25 per cent subsidised rates and price of sugarcane in Punjab is Rs 180 for 40 kg against Rs 172 per 40 kg in Sindh.”

The minister said although agriculture had become provincial subject after 18th Amendment but the federal government moved a step forward to share the burden of poor farmers.

He said both major opposition parties suffered defeat after defeat at the hands of PML-N whether it was by-elections, cantonment, local government, Azad Kashmir or Gilgit-Baltistan but they were exploiting people to regain their lost popularity.

“But popularity is gained by deeds and **t by hollow slogans. They are afraid that if the present government completes its tenure they would lose once again in 2018 general elections.

The minister advised the opposition to strengthen democracy and institutions instead of playing the ping pong of demonstrations. “The number two and number three parties have forgotten their obligations to masses and entered into a race to improve their standing.”

“After muscle flexing by the number two, **w number three is also making desperate attempts to become number two. But they must be clear that people are well aware and shall **t let them shy away from their mandate.”“They shall **t let them humiliate the democratic institutions,” he added.



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