AVN Report
LAHORE: The Pakistan Kissan Ittehad (PKI) has called on the Punjab government to take up the matter of inflated electricity bills with the federal authorities, demanding they be allowed to pay their farms’ bills in installments.
They also voiced concerns over the deployment of Rangers in the province for the recovery of electricity dues from farmers.
The PKI raised these issues during a recent meeting with Punjab Agriculture Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, where Punjab Agriculture Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahoo was also present.
Led by PKI President Khalid Mahmood Khokhar, the farmers’ delegation urged the provincial government to lower production costs and reduce the prices of agricultural inputs, particularly fertilisers, to ensure the success of the upcoming wheat crop.
During the meeting, Khokhar drew attention to the distress caused by the deployment of Rangers in Punjab for the recovery of excessive electricity bills.
He also pointed out the impact of climate change on the agricultural sector, resulting in significant losses in cotton, rice, mango, and sesame crops this year.
Mr Kirmani assured the farmers that the Punjab chief minister would soon engage with the federal government to address their grievances. He said both the agriculture department and farmers’ organisations share a common goal of advancing and developing the agricultural sector, which requires collective efforts.
The minister added that CM Maryam Nawaz remains committed to the prosperity of farmers and the advancement of the agricultural sector.
He attributed the sector’s decline to the previous governments’ failed policies, saying the current administration has earmarked a substantial development budget of Rs64 billion for agriculture — a 250pc increase compared to the last fiscal year.
He also highlighted several major initiatives launched by the provincial government, including the Kissan Card, the Green Tractor Scheme, and the solarisation of tube wells, aimed at offsetting the high costs of electricity and diesel.
He said interest-free agricultural loans are being provided under the Transforming Punjab Agriculture Programme. These measures, he said, are in line with the CM’s vision of ensuring access to quality seeds, improving agricultural marketing, and reducing production costs.
