Punjab Assembly on Thursday in its 23rd session passed 'The Qarshi University, Muridke Bill 2010' and in addition further passed two pending bills 'Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2011', 'Revenue Relief and Consolidation Punjab Laws Amendment Bill 2011'.
Opposition in Punjab Assembly boycotted the assembly session and held a meeting outside the assembly premises. The participants in the meeting criticised formation of Unification Block and vowed not to let provincial government extend its rule because of those who have formed the group. Legislators of opposition criticising the government stated that PCS officers, doctors and traders were in the streets due to provincial government policies.
Ahmed Ali Aulakh Agriculture Minister Punjab replying to queries pertaining to agriculture said legislation in the light of 18th amendment was being made to ensure availability of certified seed to the farmers in Punjab province. He said agriculture contributes 80 percent in Punjab economy, therefore lion's share of available resources was being diverted to develop agriculture on modern lines in the province as this particular sector is top priority of the government to achieve self-sufficiency and self-reliance on sustainable basis.
Agriculture Minister responding to a question said that under National Programme for Improvement of Water Courses (NPIW) 226 out of 357 watercourses in Chiniot Tehsil had been improved with a cost of Rs 33.52 million, whereas improvement of 35 more watercourses would be completed during current year. Replying further to a legislator query he said that Punjab Agricultural Supplies Corporation was dissolved by notification of Government, dated 11-04-1998. However a recovery of Rs 114 million was due whereas 85 percent recovery was already made by the Corporation before dissolving, he pointed.
The minister said that during 2008-09 a recovery of Rs 4 million was made from 38 defaulters whereas a recovery of Rs 110 million remained still due from 817 defaulters for which all the relevant record had been provided to Revenue Department for taking necessary action under Land Revenue Act.
Responding to another question, he said that no recruitment was made in Tobacco Research Institute, Yousafwala during January 2008 to May 2009 and the institute was later on reshaped as Potato Research Institute on June, 2009. He said that commission agents had no role in fixation of tax on fruits and vegetables in Market Committees. However, commission agents get commission from the farmers @ 1.50 percent on wheat and cereal, 2.5 percent on fruits and 3.12 percent on vegetables on account of services rendered by the them under provision of Punjab Agricultural Produce Market Ordinance 1978 due to auction of farmer's produce. He further told that Market Committees charge only Re 1 per 100/kg as market fee on sale of agricultural produce from the purchasers. He clarified that no new tax was imposed on fruits and vegetables by Punjab Government during 2008-09.
About agricultural research, he said that Rs 38.47 million was allocated for agricultural research during 2009-10. He further said that 24 research institutes in nine districts of Punjab were working under Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad and 7 new wheat varieties were introduced by respective research institutes.
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