SARGODHA, Oct 22: Citrus is produced in abundance in the district.
This was stated by district Nazim Malik Amjad Ali Noon while addressing participants of a a seminar to review the export of citrus, its yield and preservation in Bhalwal on Monday.
He said a citrus research institute would be set up very soon to help the growers to overcome the problems. He said 94 per cent export quality citrus was being produced at Sargodha.
The Nazim assured the growers that matter would be brought to the knowledge of concerned authorities to minimise the unrest created due to notification issued by Export Promotion Bureau, banning export of kinos (citrus) in wooden cartons.
According to him, around 400 containers of citrus worth Rs2 billion were exported to Far East and other countries. At least 126,000 acres in the district were under cultivation of citrus. The new policy would cause an irreparable loss to the people associated with the business, he feared.
Amjad Ali said the district government would not endure to foist any decision against citrus growers. He maintained that the government was striving to ensure the provision of adequate supply of irrigation water, fertilizers, seed and agricultural loans.
Mandi Bahaudin district Nazim Muhammad Gondal, Syed Zahid, Chaudhry, Muhammad Arshad, kissan board president Chaudhry Sultan Jajja, Farmers association president Chaudhry Mohsin Warriach and Factory owners association highlighted the problems of citrus exporters.
EXHIBITION: The Khushab district Nazim not only withdrew permission to hold industrial exhibition there but also restrained officials from issuance of permission for the purpose.
The reason for banning such industrial exhibition was given by a district council spokesman was that the traders on the pretext of selling goods at ex-mill rate disposed off substandard and outdated stocks at higher rates and in this way they reportedly save sales tax and earn full price of the articles.
In Sargodha, such an exhibition was due to be held under the auspices of Cantonment Board soon. It is reliably learnt that industrial exhibition was allowed with the condition that the traders would sell indigenous products at ex-mill rate.
Meanwhile, social circles voiced their concern over the grant of permission to hold industrial exhibition and demanded a ban on the pattern of Khushab.
It is learnt that the exhibition contractor has started selling space to traders to set up stalls for Rs25,000 per stall but he is paying a meagre amount to the Cantonment Board.
EYE CENTRES: As many as 10 low vision resource centres are being set up in the province to cure patients suffering from gradual loss of vision.
This was stated by Punjab Law minister Dr Khalid Ranjha while inspecting the free eye-camp in the Sardar Khan Ranjha Trust Eye Hospital in Baghtanwala, Sargodha on Monday.
Dr Ranjha revealed that two low vision resource centres had already been set up at the Mayo Hospital, Lahore and Government Teacher’s training college for the blind in Lahore.
The minister was apprised that poor patients of cataract are being operated free of cost in this hospital since 1980.
Philanthropists in Sargodha, he said, had donated more than Rs6 million in the first phase to convert it into a modern eye care hospital. At present, some 50 cataract patients were being operated daily.
He maintained that people should come forward to donate the cornea so as to fight eliminate loss of sight in the country. He said at present there are 1.5 million blind people in Punjab and they should be provided every facility to enable them live independently.
Later, the minister inspected six primary schools built by the Citizens Foundation of Karachi in Khushab for the poor children. He also inspected the newly-built Khushab Rehabilitation Centre for treatment of the physically disabled.