Rajpura March 18:
The Punjab Government is allegedly coercing farmers in various districts of Punjab to purchase zinc, which is of no use for them at this time, on subsidy. The Agriculture Department at Fatehgarh Sahib got fresh stock of 50 tonnes of zinc despite the fact that it already has 60 tonnes.
Patiala got 800-tonne zinc this time and the officials are not sure about the pending quantity in the district. While zinc is used for paddy crop, which will be planted three months later in July, the Agriculture Department officials have been directed to force farmers to buy the micronutrient this month itself.
Department officials said that it cost the government Rs 6,000 to store 100 quintals of zinc for a month. “We will bear the burden of Rs 18,000 to be paid as storing charges for the next three months. On top of it, the stock will deteriorate within this period,” the officials said. President of BKU (Rajewal) Balbir Singh Rajewal said this was not for the first time that such a product was getting damaged. He demanded a CBI probe into the damage of all such products due to negligence or corruption.
Moreover the PAU recommends that 25 kg zinc is sufficient for an acre for at least three years though farmers use this amount in an acre in a year. The maximum retail price of zinc for every 20-kg bag is Rs 490. However, the government sells it to farmers on 50 per cent subsidy at a price of Rs 245. Highly places sources in department did not rule out the possibility of negligence or officials being hand in glove with manufacturers in the sale of zinc in bulk at present.
Punjab Agriculture Minister Sucha Singh Langah said that zinc had been purchased in bulk as subsidy on it would lapse by March 31. “Even then I would look into the matter,” he said.
The Punjab Government is allegedly coercing farmers in various districts of Punjab to purchase zinc, which is of no use for them at this time, on subsidy. The Agriculture Department at Fatehgarh Sahib got fresh stock of 50 tonnes of zinc despite the fact that it already has 60 tonnes.
Patiala got 800-tonne zinc this time and the officials are not sure about the pending quantity in the district. While zinc is used for paddy crop, which will be planted three months later in July, the Agriculture Department officials have been directed to force farmers to buy the micronutrient this month itself.
Department officials said that it cost the government Rs 6,000 to store 100 quintals of zinc for a month. “We will bear the burden of Rs 18,000 to be paid as storing charges for the next three months. On top of it, the stock will deteriorate within this period,” the officials said. President of BKU (Rajewal) Balbir Singh Rajewal said this was not for the first time that such a product was getting damaged. He demanded a CBI probe into the damage of all such products due to negligence or corruption.
Moreover the PAU recommends that 25 kg zinc is sufficient for an acre for at least three years though farmers use this amount in an acre in a year. The maximum retail price of zinc for every 20-kg bag is Rs 490. However, the government sells it to farmers on 50 per cent subsidy at a price of Rs 245. Highly places sources in department did not rule out the possibility of negligence or officials being hand in glove with manufacturers in the sale of zinc in bulk at present.
Punjab Agriculture Minister Sucha Singh Langah said that zinc had been purchased in bulk as subsidy on it would lapse by March 31. “Even then I would look into the matter,” he said.
