January 12, 2009	Monday	Muharram 14, 1430

KHAIRPUR, Jan 11: A large number of farmers of Piryaloi and adjoining areas held a demonstration here on Sunday to protest against shortage of fertiliser in Kingri taluka.

They said that farmers in Piryaloi, Kot Mir Mohammad, Wada Machhiyoon, Garhi Mori, Faiz Wah and other areas were facing an artificial shortage and black marketing of urea fertiliser. They alleged that the shortage had been created by dealers.

They said that the official rate of the urea was Rs660 per bag but it was being sold at the rate of Rs800-850 per bag.

They said that banana, mango and other crops needed urea fertiliser as they were about to reach the stage of maturity but the fertiliser was not available at official rate.

They said that they had complained to the area administration but it had failed to take any action. They called upon the Sindh chief minister and other higher authorities to take action against shortage of fertiliser. — Correspondent