December 24, 2008	Wednesday	Zilhaj 25, 1429

HYDERABAD, Dec 23: Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party Chairman Dr Qadir Magsi has demanded that the government carry out a survey of rain-hit areas, declare rice-growing districts calamity-hit and exempt growers from the payment of land revenue, water charges and agricultural loans.

In a press statement, he criticised the government for showing indifference towards plight of farmers and other rain-affected people whose crops and houses were destroyed by recent rains.

He said that the government had not bothered to take care of rain-hit people. The winter rains had damaged much of paddy valued at tens of millions of rupees as well as wheat and other crops, killed quite a few people and left scores of others injured but the government failed to announce any relief measures for the victims, he said.

He demanded an end to blackmarketing of fertiliser and urged the government to supply fertiliser at subsidised rates to growers.