20000225

Increase in farm credit limit demanded

RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: Punjab Chamber of Agriculture (PCA) President Ch Muhammad Azam Cheema on Thursday asked the government to increase the limit of agriculture credit to the farmers in the country.

Addressing the general body meeting of PCA, he said that the agriculture sector needed special attention of the government as it had contributed much towards improving the economy of the country.

He was of the view that agriculture income tax must be levied only on the basis of income instead of land-holdings. "The farmers who are not earning much from their lands must be exempted from such taxation," he added.

He demanded of the government to announce revised support prices for rice, sugarcane and cotton crop before the commencement of Kharif sowing season.

He also demanded of the government to ensure availability of the unadulterated inputs on subsidised rates and reduce rates of diesel and electricity for agriculture sector.

He said that government must consult the practical farmers while framing new agriculture policy. He said that Passco must start the procurement of potatoes without any delay and maintained that the government must take immediate steps for ensuring the provision of the support price of the wheat, i.e. Rs 300 kg per 40 kg, to the growers.

Addressing on this occasion PCA Secretary General Mehr Muhammad Aslam Bharwana, appreciated the recent desilting campaign jointly carried out by civilians and army men.

Other representatives of PCA including Amin Chattha, Abdul Wahid Sindhu, Sardar Ahmad Zia, Sardar Zahur Ahmad, Mian Shuja-ur-Rehman, also spoke on the occasion.