LAHORE: The Punjab government on Saturday decided to allow opening of tractor workshops and spare parts shops throughout the province with a view to facilitating farmers during the wheat harvest.

The decision was taken at a meeting jointly presided over by Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat and Chief Secretary retired Maj Azam Suleman Khan.

The meeting also reviewed provision of healthcare for coronavirus patients, availability and prices of eatables and distribution of financial assistance in Lahore and Faisalabad under the Prime Minister’s Ehsaas Programme.

Speaking at the meeting, the chief secretary said farmers would be given all possible facilities during wheat harvest and procurement campaign. He mentioned that the decision to allow opening of tractor workshops and spare parts shops was taken so that farmers do not face any problem during wheat harvest.

The meeting was told that coronavirus tests of all foreigners who attended Tableeghi Ijtama have been completed and testing kits dispatched to districts. The Lahore commissioner told the meeting that under the PM’s Ehsaas Programme distribution of cash among 59,135 registered persons would be done in Lahore in phases. The Lahore capital city police office said 31 centres had been established in the city for provision of financial aid and 20 policemen would be deployed at each centre for security.

The meeting also reviewed prices of essential commodities and crackdown on hoarders ahead of Ramazan. The food secretary told the meeting that from March to April 9 hoarded edibles worth Rs882 million were recovered in the province. These include 748 ton sugar, 44 ton ghee, 1,400 ton red chili, 120 ton rice, 3,211 ton flour, 22 ton wheat and 750 ton pulses. He maintained that crackdown on hoarders would be expedited in the province.

The food secretary, Lahore commissioner and PITB chairman participated in the meeting whereas divisional commissioners joined through video link.

ADDITIONAL CHARGE: The Punjab government has given additional charge of post of managing director Punjab Journalist Housing Foundation (PJHF) to Ms Nabeela Ghazanfar, the director (public relations to chief secretary), and the information and culture department has issued a notification in this regard.

Published in Dawn, April 12th, 2020