AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Lahore: Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced a historic relief package for wheat growers. In a statement in Lahore today, she revealed that a fund of fifteen billion rupees has been approved to provide direct financial assistance to five hundred fifty thousand wheat farmers. This assistance will be disbursed directly through the Kisan Card.
According to Radio Pakistan, the Chief Minister further announced a complete waiver of abiana and fixed agricultural taxes for wheat growers this year. Additionally, a four-month free storage facility for wheat will be provided to protect farmers from the impacts of climate change.
The Chief Minister stated that the Government of Punjab will bear the markup on loans up to one hundred billion rupees for flour mills and grain license holders for wheat procurement.