October 15, 2001	Monday	Rajab 27, 1422

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SIALKOT, Oct 14: Paddy yield of banned varieties is being sold without any check both in Sialkot and Narowal districts.

The Sialkot district administration had imposed a ban on sowing, sale and purchase of rice varieties Superfine and Basmati-386 in 1999, to overcome the rice crisis. But due to lack of proper check by the authorities concerned, the ban is being violated. Middlemen and stockists are reportedly selling Superfine for Rs250 to Rs280 per 40kg and Basmati-386 for Rs210 to Rs250 per 40kg in the open market.

According to official sources, the ban on the above mentioned paddy varieties still exists. Following the Sept 11 incident, the rates of other rice varieties have also come down. Super Karnal is being sold for Rs950 to Rs1,000 per maund instead of Rs1,100, Basmati-375 for Rs600 instead of Rs700, Basmati-386 for Rs500 instead of Rs600 and Superfine for Rs480 to Rs500 instead of Rs550.

The harvesting season of the paddy crop is approaching, but no supporting price has, so far, been announced by the government. Growers and middlemen fear that they will have to face more financial crunch in the forthcoming harvesting season as the authorities concerned have failed to check sowing, selling and purchasing of banned paddy varieties.

INDIAN FIRING: The Chenab Rangers thwarted three major Indian attempts of fencing in Bajwat and Jammu sectors of the Sialkot working boundary on Saturday night.

Official sources said nine houses were damaged and four buffaloes killed as the Indian troops continued intensified shelling on Sunday on Pakistani border villages in Bajwat, Chaprar, Sucheetgar, Harpal, Bajragarhi, Charwa, Jammu, Chenab, Shakargarh and Zafarwal sectors.

LOOTED: Two dacoits looted Rs60,000 from the rice mills of ex-MPA Shahid Mahmood here on Saturday night.

Satrah police are investigating.

SHOT DEAD: One Ramzan, 52, was shot dead by three dacoits in Behla Chak village, Zafarwal, of Shakargarh tehsil late Saturday night.

Police have registered a case.