HYDERABAD, Sept 20: The Sindh Abadgar Board has expressed concern over the Sindh government’s decision to wind up the Sindh Seed Corporation.

In a statement faxed to Dawn here on Saturday, SAB president Abdul Majeed Nizamani said that the closing of the corporation would deprive growers of quality seed.

He demanded that instead of winding up the seed corporation, some administrative changes should be brought about in the corporation and a financial package be announced for it to make it profitable.

Mr Nizamani regretted that on the dictation of international financing agencies, the government was winding up organizations working for development of the agriculture sector.

He said that the agriculture sector of the province had already been affected due to drought, water shortage, recent heavy rains and floods, faulty designing of the Left Bank Outfall Drain and other drains, dilapidated condition of canals and minors and destruction of farm-to-market roads.

He further said that the inordinate increase in power tariff and prices of diesel, patrol, gas, water charges and pesticides, land tax, agriculture income tax and general sales tax would also have a negative impact on the farm sector.

The SAB chief said that the growers had also been denied adequate price for their produce and sugar mills and ginning factories had refused to implement the government’s directives in respect of payment of dues of growers.

Widow’s appeal: A widow of Rajpari deh, Tando Jam, has threatened to commit self-immolation outside the Hyderabad Press Club if she is not provided with protection by the authorities against excesses of an area landlord.

Speaking at a news conference at the press club here on Saturday, the woman, Mumtaz Begum, said the landlord, Asim, was trying to take over the possession of her 20 acres of land and threatening her with dire consequences, including registration of false case against her.

She said Asim had signed an agreement with her to purchase her land for Rs3.2 million and had paid Rs500,000 till date. She said the last date for payment of the full amount was Aug 31 and it was decided if Asim failed to pay by that date, the already paid amount could be forfeited.

The woman said as per terms and conditions of the agreement, Asim had failed to make the payment and the agreement stood dissolved.