He said that these steps should be taken without the interference of bureaucracy and patwaris. Shahbaz Sharif also directed officials that for the short term, a comprehensive system be developed, during the next three months, for the provision of vegetables to the common man at 50 per cent reduced prices. Sharif was presiding over a meeting to review the production and provision of vegetables to the poor. Agriculture secretary, Lahore commissioner, Punjab Agri-Marketing Company (Pamco) chief executive and other MPAs attended the meeting.
The chief minister said that the rising prices had placed vegetables beyond the reach of the poor as well as the middle class.
He said that kitchen gardens and vegetable plantation are long term projects of the Agriculture department but his priority was to provide affordable vegetables within 90 days.
During the first phase, eight vegetables including onions, tomatoes and carrots will be made affordable. The chief minister asked that a plan in this regard be presented within days so that work in the direction should be started.
Earlier, Captain (retd) Arif Nadeem, the agriculture secretary, gave a detailed briefing on the Vegetable Plantation Project. He said that the department planned to encourage the plantation of vegetables with the help of Pamco. In addition to growing vegetables on uncultivated land, Pamco will set up fruit and vegetables wholesale points in five major cities. He said that the Agriculture department will provide additional space in vegetable markets for the same.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 23rd, 2010.
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