July 12, 2008	Saturday	Rajab 8, 1429

SANGHAR, July 11: The cotton crop is under jassit pest threat as the population of bug has assumed an alarming level. Though, farmers are applying different pesticides to control the attack but it appears to be of no use. They say jassit has developed resistance due to massive use of chemicals.

Farmers, because of the lack of knowledge used either improper chemicals for jassit or the dosage was inadequate which developed resistance, though the climate was favourable.

Farmers were still reeling under the toll of last year’s mealy bug on cotton crop, while this year again, they are facing the onslaught of jassit attack on their yield. This has multiplied their miseries, among other factors.

Farmers whine over the absence of accurate pesticides to control the mealy bug despite using one brand after another. The only remedy for them is to uproot affected plants but at an initial stage of the attack, as once, if it has spread to the crop then it is not possible to uproot entire plants.

NGO: The Taluka Municipal Employees Union (TMEU) have condemned the activities of an NGO and alleged that it was creating misunderstanding between the DCO and the TMO.

Nisar Nizamani, Chairman TMEU, Ali Mohammad, Diyal Nathu, Ms Bhavi Bai and others alleged that the said NGO tried to grab a piece of land and when the TMO foiled the attempt, it tried to create a rift between the DO and TMO by misguiding him.

According to them, the DCO has threatened to demolish the official residence of TMO, built 50 years ago. The TMEU has threatened that it will give a call to all trade unions if action was not taken against the so-called NGO.