PA Holds Lackluster Debate On Agriculture.

LAHORE -- The Punjab Assembly sitting on Monday was attended by less than 40 members at a time as it held debate on the issues plaguing the agriculture sector in Punjab.

PML-N's Rana M Iqbal started the debate as the Assembly proceedings resumed after a two-day break with a delay of two hours and fifty minutes. Panel of chairman Khalil Tahirul Sindhu chaired the sitting.

Tahir Jameel criticized the government for shortage of fertilizers and withdrawal of subsidy on agricultural implements. 'Today, the amount set aside in the budget for subsidizing agriculture is negligible,' he complained. Despite the chief minister's directions to end shortage of fertilizers, the problem was still there, he added.

He stressed on increasing the supply of fertilizers so that the landowners can have bumper crops. He also raised the issue of pulses' import and lack of incentives and guidelines to farmers from the government in this regard.

PML-N MPA Mirza Javed drew government's attention towards illegal tax being collected from the owners of sacrificial animals at Shahpur Kanjran animal market. 'The officials are charging Rs2500 per truck (loaded with animals). They are charging Rs500 per goat as against Rs100 which is the official rate,' he told the house. Sindhu ruled that the district government should display the officials' rates prominently at the animal market.

Jalil Sharqpuri said that wheat, rice and pulses should not be imported in an agricultural country like Pakistan. He suggested that the government should take steps to provide solar panels to the farmers for their tube wells. The government should give money for solar panels to banks...