SIALKOT, April 5: The district government has launched a comprehensive programme for the development of agriculture sector. According to a press release , district Nazim Mian Naeem Javed said at a farmers' gathering here on Monday that the agriculture sector played a vital role in strengthening the national economy.

He said the district government had allocated Rs20 million for providing modern farm machinery to farmers. He said the district government had released a grant of Rs5 million for the development of livestock. He said a sum of Rs111 million was being spent on the construction of farm-to-market roads.

The district government had constructed 250 kilometres farm-to-market roads at an expenditure of Rs83 million in addition to spending Rs42.5 million on the construction and repair of different roads. EDO (agriculture) Rana Farman Ali told the meeting that the department would launch a project to build new water courses in the rural areas.

WTO: Punjab Minister for Industries and Investment Ajmal Cheema has said that the provincial government has planned to educate businessmen about WTO.

He told newsmen here on Monday that the government would soon announce a special package of incentives for exporters, including cut in various duties. Mr Cheema said industrialization was top priority of the government for providing maximum job opportunities to the skilled and unskilled labour force.

COMPENSATION: Industries Minister Ajmal Cheema gave away cheques for Rs280,000 to the heirs of October 5 boat tragedy in which 19 members of a Ghueinky family, including women and children, had drowned in the River Chenab near Head Marala.

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