Balochistan farmers demand waiver of electricity bills

GAB claims Rs300 billion in flood losses, demands 500 hours of dozer, 250 of tractors

QUETTA:

The Growers Association Balochistan (GAB) has demanded of the federal government to waive the electricity bills of the affected areas’ farmers, claiming Rs300 billion losses due to floods across the province, in a meeting with Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddous Bizenjo on Sunday.

General Secretary of the Association Abdul Rehman Bazai while briefing Bizenjo about the situation created by the floods in Balochistan, demanded 500 hours of dozer and 250 hours of tractors for land leveling to be provided to each farmer of the affected district.

Bazai told the meeting that the province faced a lot of damage due to the current flash floods and torrential rains. The agriculture sector was the hardest hit as compared to other sectors.

Balochistan has faced around Rs300 billion losses as a result of the floods and heavy rains, damaging canal system, tube wells, and solar systems.

GAB also expressed concern over the import of commodities from Afghanistan and other neighboring countries. They said that the local farmers are affected by the import of vegetables and fruits etc. as their products are sold at low prices in the market.

“Agriculture sector is the backbone of the country’s economy,” the CM said.

The GAB demanded subsidies on agricultural supplies and fertilizer to the landowners at the provincial level, including the waiving off agricultural loans for the province.

The CM assured the association that their problems will be resolved on a priority basis and a strong stand will be taken with the federal government in this regard. He assured that if the federal government does not cooperate in waiving the bills, the provincial government will take this step on its own.

CM Balochistan, while praising the prime minister of Pakistan, said that during the recent floods, the PM visited the affected districts of Balochistan several times.

.Published in The Express Tribune, October 4^th, 2022.