PTI govt’s ‘Murghi Paal’ scheme faces rollback

Federal govt announces 50% cut in funding to the project

RAWALPINDI:

The future of former prime minister Imran Khan's "Morghi Paal" scheme has become more bleak following the incumbent government’s decision to cut its funding by 50 per cent, citing financial downturn.

Sources said another likely cut of 25pc will push this project to the brink of closure, which according to them is on the cards.

They also said the Rawalpindi Poultry Research Institute will not be able to provide subsidised chicken sets to the citizens in this fiscal year due to the government’s recent move and its intention to bury it.

Previously, the government had restored the scheme on high public demand after the Rawalpindi livestock department put a halt to Murghi Paal and Katta Farba and Katta Paal schemes in the Rawalpindi division.

This time again, the government seems hell-bent on rolling back the scheme despite strong public demand. The Poultry Research Institute has started to slow down the distribution of chicken sets due to the imminent cut by the government.

According to government statistics, around 3.5 million chickens were distributed under this program in Punjab during the fiscal year of 2020 and 2021.

The numbers are likely to be very disappointing this year. Sources said that if the financial crisis of the federal government is not resolved in one and a half months, there is a possibility that the Murgh Paal programme will be closed.

The federal government is also considering stopping all funds in this regard, they said, however, it will depend on the severity of the financial crisis.

Sources further said the 50pc cut in funding is likely to be reversed if the financial crisis is resolved by January 2023. Poultry Research Institute distributes a complete set of 6 chicken fowl including 5 chickens and 1 rooster to citizens at a subsidised rate of Rs1,350 only.

It also includes a subsidy of Rs450 per set from the federal government. These chickens given by the department lay up to 240 eggs annually and they do not need any special food. These chickens only eat kitchen waste including vegetables, fruit waste, used tea leaves, cooked rice, bread crumbs, etc, researchers said.

Dry bread can be soaked in water overnight and used as fodder in the morning, they added.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 23^rd, 2022.