LAHORE, July 17: The Punjab government has remitted Rs508.93 million to farmers of calamity-hit areas during the last five months (January-May) of the financial year 2001-2002, the Board of Revenue senior member was informed at a meeting here on Wednesday.

The director-general (Relief) said the farmers of six border districts — Lahore, Narowal, Okara, Bahawalnagar, Sialkot and Kasur — were remitted a Rs42.94 million payment on account of water rate and Rs40.76 million farm income tax for their inability to cultivate the land due to deployment of army on the border.

The drought-stricken farmers of Bhakkar, Khushab, Pakpattan, Chakwal, Jhang, Attock, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Bahawalpur and Cholistan were similarly provided a Rs410.41 million relief by remitting them the water rate payment of Rs252.68 million and farm income tax payment of Rs157.73 million.

The cultivators in Vehari and Toba Tek Singh were remitted Rs7.5 million water rate and Rs6.25 million farm income tax on account of a virus attack.