LAHORE, Jun 20 (APP): Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shahbaz Sharif on Monday sought a comprehensive plan for providing interest-free, soft loans to small farmers on the pattern of Akhuwat and directed to consult the Bank of Punjab as well.
He chaired a meeting at his office on Monday which was attended by Provincial Minister
Sardar Awais Leghari, Bilal Yasin MPA, political assistants, administrative secretaries,
commissioner Lahore and others.
The supply and demand of vegetables were reviewed and the participants also deliberated on reducing the exploitative role of middlemen.
It was decided to immediately transpose auction supervisory staff and reconstitute market committees across Punjab. The CM directed to induct the best human resources in market committees for desired results and inquired the agriculture secretary about the performance of agriculture research institutes as agriculture productivity could not be boosted without research.
Hamza Shahbaz said a comprehensive report should be submitted about the work done
by the agri research institutes in recent years and suggested to obtain the services of
the experts from private sector.
A crop-insurance plan should also be devised, he said and directed to take timely steps
with regard to import of onions and tomatoes to overcome the shortage in coming days.
He further said that standard of facilities in markets would be improved and work should
be done on an emergent basis for providing essential items at inexpensive prices to the
people.
He also sought a report about cleanliness arrangements and other facilities in markets
across the province, adding that videos and pictures be sent to his office till night.
