Agriculture Marketing Department here, on the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, has evolved a comprehensive plan for provision of pure and quality milk to citizens and improving its marketing system. This was stated by Provincial Minister for Agriculture Marketing Rana Qasim Noon, while presiding over a high level meeting at Civil Secretariat here on Friday.
Rana Qasim Noon said the government, for the development of livestock sector, was taking various measures including construction of link roads, provision of loans to livestock farmers for purchase of cool chain system-fitted vehicles and setting up of quality control laboratories in various cities.
He said initially special squads were being deputed at all entry points, here, for checking of milk so that the high quality pure milk could be supplied to the consumers.
The Minister further said the CM Punjab was taking effective measures for rapid industrialisation of the province.
He said provincial Agri-Marketing department would soon hold a seminar where representatives of dairy associations, livestock farmers and concerned departments would be invited for soliciting their proposals to improve the marketing system of milk and the supply of unadulterated milk to the citizens.
Nestle Managing Director Ronald on the occasion informed the meeting that price of packed milk couldn't be reduced without promoting pasteurising and packing industry in the country, as the cost of pasteurisation and packing was very high in the country.
Secretary Industries, Additional Secretary Livestock, Special Secretary Agri-Marketing, Deputy Director Food, City District Government Lahore, Nestle MD, Director Marketing Idara Kissan Halla and officers of concerned departments were also present.