CM hikes number of Kisan Cards to 750k

Announces free levelers, tractors for farmers

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced that the number of Kisan Cards to be issued to support farmers in the province would be increased from 500,000 to 750,000.

Addressing a Kisan Card ceremony in Hafizabad on Monday, she said 10 projects for farmers worth Rs400 billion had been launched in six months.

The CM announced that laser levelers would be provided free of charge to farmers who cultivate wheat on 12.5 to 25 acres of land. She said free tractors would be provided to farmers with more than 25 acres. The CM announced that agricultural machinery would be provided to the growers on rent without profit.

The number of dealers providing services to Kisan Card holders will be increased to 3,000. "Agriculture and wheat cultivation in Punjab is increasing. Inflated electricity bills reduce the farmer's profit. I have assigned the task of cultivating vegetables in every city," she said on the occasion.

The CM said, "I want bread and flour to be available to the people at cheap rates and farmers should also get profit." She said 7,000 diesel and electric tube wells are being solarised.

"For the first time, the government is reaching out to the farmers themselves. In the past, the government actually bought wheat from the middlemen, not from farmers. Bardana was sold for Rs500 earlier. The Punjab government is working day and night to change the plight of farmers," she added.

Meanwhile, more than 200,000 polio workers will vaccinate over 20 million children across Punjab during campaign inaugurated by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Monday.

The chief minister administered polio drops to children at the Services Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS).

"In the anti-polio campaign, children must be given polio vaccine to save them from lifelong disability," she said, stressing the target of zero polio in the province.

She appealed to the parents to ensure the vaccination of their children.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz appreciated the services of the polio workers and advised them to work hard.

With additional input from APP