Punjab government is making all out efforts to provide quality pesticides to the farmers and elimination of menace of adulteration. This was stated by the Chairman Task Force on Agriculture, Colonel Shuja Khanzada (Retd) while presiding over a meeting here on Tuesday. The meeting reviewed the strategy to control adulteration in pesticides.
The meeting was also attended by DIG Operations Punjab, Additional Secretary Law, Additional Secretary Health, Additional Secretary Agriculture Task Force and Director General Pest Warning and Quality Control. The Chairman Task Force reiterated that all measures would be taken to eliminate the adulteration in pesticides from Punjab province and stern action would be taken against culprits involved in illegal business and adulteration of pesticides.
He directed all concerned agencies for effective monitoring and punitive action against culprits to ensure the availability of pure pesticides by the next year as desired by the Chief Minister Punjab for more production and betterment of growers.
It was reported in the meeting that 282 raids were conducted and 168 persons were arrested for their involvement in adulteration. In addition 427900-kg illegal pesticides valuing approximately Rs 260 million were also recovered. The Chairman Task Force emphasised for co-ordination between all concerned agencies for effective action to eliminate adulteration practices from the province.