Debate on farm sector fails to interest MPAs

PML-N members demand steps to boost farm sector

LAHORE:

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmakers’ efforts to draw the attention of the government towards the importance of the agriculture sector as the backbone of the national economy failed to interest their own colleagues in Punjab Assembly as the chambers presented a deserted look during the discussion.

During the day’s proceedings marred by low attendance, the participants of the discussion asserted that the problems being faced by the agriculture sector were genuine.

As the general discussion on agriculture started in the budget session held at Aiwan-e-Iqbal by the ruling coalition, there were around 25 lawmakers present. However, the number dropped to 17 after some time.

The MPAs who spoke on the topic stressed that agriculture was the country’s backbone and concrete measures were required on a war footing to strengthen the sector. They said the PML-N had taken several good steps in the past but the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government had ruined the sector.

They said they were optimistic that sincere efforts would be made to strengthen the sector under Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership.

PML-N’s Mian Tahir Jameel urged the government to give subsidy on agricultural equipment, fertilisers and electricity to farmers. They said early measures like providing subsidized fertilisers to farmers and power supply at concessional rates for tube-wells would help provide relief to the farmers to enable them to perform well to strengthen the agriculture sector.

The same party’s Zakia Shahnawaz emphasised that the government should to give interest-free loans to the farmers for purchasing equipment used in harvesting to avoid the practice of setting ablaze the remnants of the crops.

Rana Munawar Ghaus said there was a time when the country exported cotton but now the situation of the sector was alarming.

He also urged the government to take appropriate measures to strengthen the irrigation system.

Khalil Tahir Sindh from the Panel of Chairmen, who was presiding over the session, also expressed his concern, saying there used to be record production of the crops in absence of the technology but now the production had reduced.

He also sought the advice of PML-N’s senior leader and former speaker Rana Iqbal Khan about including the parliamentarians linked with agriculture in the committees which pondered over and took decisions regarding the sector.

The former assembly speaker agreed to the suggestion.

During the session, PML-N’s senior legislator Sheikh Allauddin said he had come to know that some children belonging to the Christian community were not being given admission to a vocational institute in Chunian.

Khalil Tahir Sindhu said Zakat did not apply to such applicants, so the funds from the Bailtul Maal could be given to them. He directed the provincial secretary concerned to take prompt measures to resolve the issue.

PML-N’s Mirza Javed alleged that extortion in the garb of tax was being received at sacrificial animal markets for each animal and truck, especially at the Shahpur Kanjran market.

He complained that exorbitant amounts were being charged rather than as per the government’s rate lists. He demanded that the chief minister and prime minister take notice of the issue.

He also sought a ruling on the matter from the Panel of Chairmen, at which Sindhu passed a ruling directing the authorities concerned to display the official rates at Shahpur Kanjran market by the night.

He adjourned the house till Thursday afternoon.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 28^th, 2022.