Wheat harvesting: Punjab govt allows opening of tractor workshops, spare parts shops

The Punjab government has decided to allow tractor workshops and spare parts shops to be operational in the province to facilitate farmers during the wheat crop harvesting.

The decision was taken during a meeting jointly presided over by Provincial Law Minister Raja Basharat and Chief Secretary Punjab Major Azam Suleman Khan (retd). The meeting reviewed provision of healthcare for coronavirus patients, availability and prices of eatables and arrangements for distribution of financial assistance in Lahore and Faisalabad under the Prime Minister's Ehsaas Programme. The secretary food department, commissioner Lahore, chairman PITB, CCPO Lahore and officers concerned participated in the meeting whereas divisional commissioners joined through video link.

Speaking at the meeting, the chief secretary said that farmers would be given all possible facilities during the wheat harvesting and procurement campaign. He mentioned that the decision to allow the opening of tractors workshops and spare parts shops was taken so that farmers could not face any problem during wheat harvesting. The meeting was told that coronavirus tests of all foreigners attended Tableeghi Ijtamaa has been completed and testing kits have been dispatched to districts.

The commissioner briefed that under the PM's Ehsaas Programme distribution of cash among 59,135 registered persons would be made in Lahore in phases.

The CCPO said 31 centers have been established in the city for provision of financial aid and 20 policemen would be deployed at each center for security.

The meeting also reviewed the prices of essential commodities and crackdown on hoarders ahead of Ramazan. The secretary food told the meeting that from March to April 9 hoarded edibles worth Rs 882 million were recovered in the province. These include 748-ton sugar, 44 ton ghee, 1400 ton red chili, 120-ton rice, 3,211-ton flour, 22-ton wheat, and 750-ton pulses. He maintained that crackdown on hoarders would be expedited in the province.