AVN Report
LAHORE: Punjab Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb launched the activation of the “Kissan Card” and an anti-smog squad, initiatives designed to provide financial support to farmers for agricultural inputs and combat air pollution, respectively.
“Punjab is committed to providing relief and economic opportunities for its people. Under the Chief Minister’s Smog Control Program, we are utilising all resources to tackle air pollution,” stated Maryam Aurangzeb during a ceremony at the Agriculture House in Lahore.
She highlighted that various departments have been assigned specific tasks under the Chief Minister’s smog control initiative. In the first phase, 5,000 super seeders will be provided to farmers at a cost of Rs5 billion, with 60pc subsidy to effectively manage paddy residue. The government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against the burning of this residue.
Ms Aurangzeb also announced the establishment of an anti-smog squad within the Agriculture Department, which will operate in paddy-growing areas at the tehsil level to offer technical guidance to farmers.
A special helpline for smog control has also been launched, allowing citizens to report pollution incidents by calling 1373.
Punjab Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani said that the activation of Kissan Cards would be transformative for small farmers and save them from exploitation by middlemen.
This card will facilitate interest-free agricultural loans amounting to Rs150 billion annually, with 80pc of applicants being first-time loan recipients.
Mr Kirmani said that while previous governments politicised agricultural issues, the current administration is implementing practical measures to enhance farmers’ prosperity, having allocated 250pc more in the agriculture budget compared to the previous year.
Agriculture Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahoo said 6.6 million acres of paddy were cultivated in Punjab this year, with the harvesting process currently underway.
He said smog control duties have been assigned to relevant field formations, with 22 anti-smog squads established in paddy cultivation areas, equipped with specialised vehicles to enhance outreach and support smog control efforts.
He said the activation of Kisan Cards will also enable farmers to promptly purchase essential wheat agricultural inputs, reducing their reliance on middlemen.
The ceremony was attended by Chairman of the Standing Committee on Agriculture Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture Usama Khan Leghari, President of the Bank of Punjab Zafar Masood, senior officials from agriculture and related departments, and a large number of farmers.
