Action against fertiliser hoarders in the offing

CS says interest of farmers will be protected at all costs

LAHORE:

The Punjab government has decided to launch a crackdown on fertilisers' hoarders and issued instructions to all divisional commissioners in this regard.

Punjab Chief Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal issued these instructions while presiding over a meeting held at the Civil Secretariat on Friday. The administrative secretaries of relevant departments, including agriculture, food, and industries, attended the meeting while all the divisional commissioners participated through the video link.

Speaking at the meeting, the chief secretary said no one would be allowed to exploit the farmers, adding that those who were minting money by creating an artificial shortage of fertilisers would be dealt with an iron hand.

He said the government would protect the interest of farmers at all costs. He maintained that huge stock was available in abundance but dealers were creating artificial shortage by storing it in warehouses against which stern action would be taken.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 13^th, 2021.