ZAHID BAIG

LAHORE: Growers organisations have given a mixed reaction to the proposed budget for the year 2017-18, especially for the allocations and incentives announced by the federal finance minister for agriculture sector.

Pakistan Muttahida Kissan Mahaz (PMKM) Chief, Ayub Khan Mayo, said that growers do not trust the present government any more as they make allocations for agriculture sector in the budget but do not spend the whole amount on it. He also said that the government incentivized agro-based industry instead of directly benefiting the farmers, on the top government claims that the measures have been taken for farmers.

He said in the past government announced 'Kissan Package' of Rs 370 billion but did not spend the whole amount for the benefit of farmers. He also alleged that they do not trust rulers who had allocated trillions of rupees for the water reservoirs during last 25 years but utterly failed in building a single reservoir. He said hydel power projects of 40,000 MW were lying idle even after the approval of the ECNEC.

Mayo also condemned the police torture on growers protesting peacefully at Islamabad for their rights and said that the government's real face is exposed. Kisan Board Pakistan (KBP) Central Secretary Information Haji Muhammad Ramzan termed the proposed federal budget as disappointing which carries nothing for the growers. He also condemned the government for resorting to baton charge and arrests of those growers who were peacefully protesting in Islamabad for their rights.

He urged the government to immediately release the arrested growers, accept their demands, and announce special incentives package for the agricultural sector.

Meanwhile, former chairman of the Pakistan Poultry Association Abdul Hayee Mehta in his brief reaction said apparently the budget incentives proposed for the next year seem very positive. The government has not put any extra burden on the industry while incentives such as duties reduction or tax exemption were aimed at supporting the local industry. Anjuman Kashtkaran Punjab President Iftikhar Rana in a statement claimed that the Punjab government's budget would be farmer-friendly as it is hoped that a big package would be announced for growers in the next year budget.