Over 94,000 applications approved for Kissan Card

LAHORE:Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Ashiq Hussain Kirmani has said a new era of agricultural development will begin with the implementation of initiatives of the Punjab CM.

He was chairing a meeting at Agriculture House here on Monday. On this occasion, the timelines of the Transforming Punjab Agriculture Programme were reviewed. During the briefing, the minister was told that so far, 252,000 farmers have submitted online applications for Chief Minister Punjab Kissan Card, after scrutiny of which more than 94,000 applications have been approved. It has been sent to Bank of Punjab for final processing. During the briefing, he was further informed that so far, 734 orders have been received for the super seeders.

On this occasion, the minister said that no compromise would be made on the quality during the production of Pak Seeders. He said that the data about the number of calls received on the agriculture helpline every week related to the agricultural programme of the chief minister should be compiled so that the concerns of the farmers can be removed. The minister was told that about 1,000 calls were being received on the agriculture helpline daily about Chief Minister Kissan Card and other initiatives. He endorsed that the farmers who have not registered their mobile phones for farmers’ registration need to be followed up.

The minister issued orders to follow the timeline of Green Tractors Scheme. In response to a question, the minister was told that the government will pay 50 per cent of the amount for the transfer of agricultural tube-wells to solar system, while the remaining 50percent will be paid by the farmers.

During the meeting, the minister directed for making and presenting a workable proposal for the promotion of oilseed products. He maintained that it is important to link the industry for the promotion of soybeans. He directed for involving the local industry in the high-tech mechanisation programme so as to minimise the losses in wheat and rice production per acre. He said that an industry should be developed in the second phase of this programme. In the first phase, arrangements should be made to deliver the fruits of hi-tech machinery to the farmers through service providers, he added. He said that free seed and fertiliser subsidy will have to be given to the farmers to increase the cultivation of vegetables in Punjab. The supply chain will have to be improved in this regard.

Labour minister orders establishing daycare centres

Minister for Labour and Human Resource Faisal Ayub Khokhar on Monday visited Punjab Social Security head office to review the operations and initiatives of Labour and attached departments.

He was briefed by officers from Labour & Human Resource, Labour Welfare, Punjab Social Security and Workers Welfare Funds. Secretary Labour Naeem Ghaus, Commissioner Punjab Social Security Nadia Saqib, DG Labour Kalsum Hai, Executive Officer Workers Welfare Board Tauqeer Elyas Cheema and other relevant officers were present.

The minister directed to establish daycare centres on factories’ premises for the children of female workers and emphasised on ensuring the construction of labour colonies for workers. He directed the Labour and related departments to formulate comprehensive plans within two days and ensure the installation of biometric machines in offices to verify attendance and directed to take immediate action against ghost employees. He stressed on enhancing human resource to ensure the registration of workers and pledged to amend laws for their welfare if necessary.