News
Wheat price increase, POL price cut beneficial for farmers: PM
*Nawaz says measures by the government would produce a salutary effect on the quality of farmers’ life
INPISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that the timely decision of increase in the support price of wheat to Rs 1,300 per 40 kg, slapping of 20% regulatory duty on its import, and decrease in the petroleum prices particularly of diesel, would greatly benefit the farmers enabling them to earn an estimated extra income of Rs 3,500-5,000 per acre.
These measures by the government would produce a salutary effect on the quality of farmers’ life in particular and in rural areas in general.
He assured that the agriculture sector would be protected and encouraged so that the objective of food security in the country could be attained.
In a statement issued here on Sunday, the prime minister further said the government was fully cognisant of the problems of the people and was taking comprehensive long term measures to significantly enhance their living standard by providing them with all basic facilities of life.
He said that this increase in wheat support price, which is above the prevailing international price, would encourage the agriculture sector.
A uniform support price would provide a level playing field to all farmers in the entire country and thus encourage farmers to bring more land under cultivation. Similarly, the recent reduction in oil prices will benefit the masses particularly the agriculture sector as it would reduce the cost of input, he emphasised.
The prime minister said that the PML-N government has taken a series of measures to reform and encourage the agriculture sector in the country which is the backbone of the economy.
He recalled that in January this year the government decided that imported as well as locally manufactured urea would be available at Rs 1,786 per bag and these rates would be stamped on each bag.
The decision was taken to remove the corruption due to the difference in price of imported and local urea; and also to end the exploitation of farmers by the middleman; and to give relief to the masses. It may be mentioned that the middleman repacked the imported urea and sold it out as locally manufactured one, thus pocketing the subsidy meant for farmers.
The prime minister said that the government was bearing a subsidy of Rs 747 on per bag of urea as the present estimated cost of an imported bag is Rs 2,527.
He also said that a special subsidised electricity tariff of Rs 10.35 per unit is being charged to the farmers, eliminating peak time charges which were higher, so that their input costs were protected. The PML-N government, by affecting a uniform tariff of Rs 10.35 per unit for agricultural tube-wells, has insured a reliability of input to the farmers.
He said that the federal and provincial governments are procuring wheat from the farmers to ensure that not only they get the right price for their produce, but also enabling the governments to have sufficient stocks for supply to flour mills so that they can intervene to maintain a stable price of flour in the country.
The prime minister said the present government was also working with full zeal to complete major infrastructure projects to achieve the goal of a better Pakistan. These projects would enhance employment, generate economic activity and reduce poverty.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk