Maryam Nawaz Unveils Rs15 Billion Relief for Wheat Farmers
Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced the largest and most unprecedented financial package in the history of the province for wheat farmers,
Under which Rs15 billion will be provided directly to 550,000 farmers. This assistance will be given through the Kisan Card to ensure transparency and prompt delivery.
The Chief Minister announced that this year, wheat farmers will also be exempted from Abiana and fixed tax.,
While 4 months of free storage facility will also be provided to protect wheat from seasonal losses and market pressure.
The Punjab government has also decided to implement the Electronic Warehouse Receipt (EWR) system for modern storage of wheat, under which farmers will be able to get a loan of up to 70 percent of the total cost of their crop from the bank within 24 hours for storing wheat.
Announcing a major facility for flour mills and green license holders, the Chief Minister said that the government will pay the markup of loans of up to Rs 100 billion taken from the Bank of Punjab for the purchase of wheat.
Flour mills will be required to purchase and reserve wheat up to 25 percent of their total storage capacity from the cabinet.
Contacts are also being made with the federal government for the export of wheat and products made from it.
The ban on the movement of wheat and flour at inter-provincial and district borders has been lifted.
Bank of Punjab will provide financing to facilitate the private sector in the renovation and construction of warehouses for wheat storage, while the Punjab government itself will bear the markup of Rs 5 billion for this project.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said in a resolute tone that she will not allow farmers to suffer any loss.
“If the farmer has planted wheat, he will get full compensation for it. Farmers are my brothers, and I am with them every step of the way.”
