LAHORE:
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved then allocation of Rs15 billion for 550,000 farmers under a Wheat Support Fund.
The wheat farmers will be given direct financial support through the Kisan Card.
The chief minister announced a package for the sector, including exemption from irrigation tax for the wheat farmers during current year.
Under the package, free Electronic Warehouse Receipt (EWR) facility will be provided for four months for storage to protect wheat from climate change effects and farmers from market pressure.
The farmers storing wheat under the system will get an electronic receipt, which can be given to a bank within 24 hours to obtain a loan of up to 70 per cent of the total cost. Markup on loans amounting to up to Rs100 billion obtained from the Bank of Punjab by flour mills and ‘green licence’ holders for wheat purchase will be funded.
It has been decided that approval will be sought from the cabinet for immediate and mandatory purchase of wheat by flour mills and the licence holders.
Wheat storage up to 25 per cent of the total capacity has been made mandatory.
It has also been decided that the federal government will be contacted for the export of wheat and its products.
The Bank of Punjab will provide financing to the private sector for the renovation and construction of warehouses for wheat.
The Punjab government will pay the markup of Rs5 billion to provide storage facilities to the wheat farmers.
The ban on transportation of wheat and flour at provincial and district borders has been lifted.
The chief minister expressed her firm resolve to not let farmers suffer any loss. She said, “If any farmer has cultivated wheat, then he will get full compensation for it.”
Environmental squads
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also attended the first passing out parade of the Environment Protection Force.
She also launched an Environmental Approval Management System and an Emission Testing System for vehicles. After going through checking under the Emission Test System, she also got affixed the first ETS sticker to her vehicle.
Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said an e-bike squad of the Environment Protection Force will work as an eco-friendly unit. A ‘green squad’ will work for anti-plastic campaign, dust and dengue control in the urban areas. A ‘blue squad’ of the force will strive to protect water bodies and a ‘black squad’ will work for vehicle fuel testing and against toxic fumes. A ‘red squad’ o the force will work to prevent harmful substances in the industrial areas and hospitals.
A ‘Hawk Eye Squad’ will conduct environmental surveillance with 360-degree live camera vehicles and 11 thermal drones that can see in the dark. A special Urban Patrolling and Vigilance Squad will work to prevent environmental hazards. The Brick Kiln Squad will monitor the kilns on eight double cabin vehicles.
The Point Source Pollution Monitoring Squad will monitor environmental pollutants.
A strict check will be kept on air quality in the relevant areas through a Mobile Air Quality Monitoring Station.
