MIRPURKHAS, Oct 4: Talking tough on black-marketing and in impeding the process of self-sufficiency in food, the provincial minister for agriculture warned of strict action against offenders.

Minister Syed Ali Nawaz Shah said that agriculture was the backbone of Pakistan and the government was keen on promoting the sector to make its economy stronger. He was presiding a high-level meeting here on Saturday night at Circuit House which was attended by district officers, MPAs Mir Haji Hayat Talpur, Mir Mehboob Talpur, Shamim Aara Panhwer, representatives of local body departments, representatives of abadgars, fertilizer dealers and agriculture officers.

According to a handout issued here on Saturday, the minister said that urea fertiliser requirement stood at 4,50,000 bags for cotton crop in the district while 6,50,000 had been provided to abadgars and deplored that still it was being sold in the black. He said that district administration even carried out raids and fined the offenders but no tangible results could be obtained after which it was decided to sell it on company rate in the open market in future. He warned of sending dealers and wholesalers behind the bars along with heavy fine.

Syed Ali Nawaz Shah said besides revenue officials, Agriculture Department and representatives of masses on taluka level would keep an eye over fertiliser issue. He directed the dealers to keep sale/purchase record and send the report daily to Revenue Department.