Punjab approves Rs200 per maund support price for sugarcane
The Punjab government has fixed minimum support price for sugarcane at Rs200 per maund besides the decision to re-approach the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) for an increase in wheat support price.
Punjab cabinet made these decisions under the chair of Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Tuesday. It has given ex post facto approval to sugarcane support price along with the approval of transportation charges and sugarcane development cess.
It decided to take stern action against those sugar mills which delays payments of growers and stressed to give a full reward to sugarcane farmers of their hard work during the crushing season.
It also decided to constitute a ministerial committee to review available sugar stock and submit recommendations for the procurement of additional stocks of imported sugar to rein in escalation in sweetener price.
The cabinet allowed the Punjab Food Department to enter into an agreement with PASSCO for the purchase of 63,000 tonnes of imported wheat. During deliberations on the wheat support price, it was highlighted that the provincial government had proposed wheat support price of Rs1,800 per maund but after evaluating the current economic situation of the country, the ECC had fixed wheat support price of Rs1,650 per maund.
The provincial cabinet decided to secure implementation of 3% job quota for the visually-impaired and approved a further five-year age relaxation for employment purposes. After this decision, now the visually-impaired candidates will enjoy up to 15-year age relaxation in getting government jobs.
For the promotion of tourism and culture, the cabinet approved the draft law of the 17-member Punjab Tourism, Culture and Heritage Authority with the chief minister and provincial tourism minister as its chairman and vice-chairman, respectively.
It also decided to lift the ban on the lease of coal mines and also gave in-principle approval to lift the ban on renewal of the mines leases.
The meeting decided to constitute a ministerial committee to dispose of the aircraft (AP-BX/400-A, RK-80) grounded since 2004. This committee will submit its report after reviewing different options for disposal, including an auction of the aircraft.
It approved setting up rescue 1122 station in Khairpur Tamewali tehsil of Bahawalpur while the release of NOC for transfer of 6-kanal land of Tehsil Council Jhang for setting up another Rescue 1122 station was also approved.
The meeting decided to resolve the matter of acquisition of land for Greater Thal Canal Project Chaubara Branch phase-II and it was further decided to process the case with Asian Development Bank. The 448-mile long Greater Thal Canal will irrigate 290,000 acres of land.
The cabinet also approved a South Punjab reallocation allowance for the officers posted in south Punjab secretariat. As many as 655 posts have been created for 17 departments in this paperless secretariat.
The cabinet also approved to present annual reports of Punjab Information Commission to Punjab Assembly and appointment of the regular president or CEO of Punjab Cooperative Bank Ltd.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 18th, 2020.