Vegetable import from India, Mafia active in Punjab
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LAHORE: Provincial Minister for Industries, Trade and Investment Sheikh Allauddin on Monday affirmed that the government would in no way allow the import of Indian vegetables hurting the local growers.
In fact, he said, a mafia was behind the recent inflated hike of vegetables especially tomatoes and onions.
Replying to queries by lawmakers during Question-Hour session in the Punjab Assembly, he said Indian tomotoes, onions and other vegetables had adverse impact on local market and the growers could not get due return of their yields.
He said a mafia wanted the sale of Indian vegetables in local market but he would be the last man standing against them.
He said with better strategy, the department had overcome crisis of tomatoes and onions and made their easy availability to the consumers.
Answering a question by lawmaker Nighat Sheikh, the minister said, Government Institute of Emerging Technology in collaboration with Turkish Cooperation & Coordination (TIKA) had set up a Denim centre at Township where four courses were being learnt, adding the purpose of these courses was to create trained workforce of international standard.
The minister told a questioner, Chaudhry Akram, that six TEVTA centres were operating in Sialkot city. He, however, said there was no plan on the cards to open more such centres in the city.
Responding to a question, Provincial Minister for Irrigation Amanatullah Khan Shadi Khel told the House that the government was spending huge funds on improving canal system, adding special facilities were granted to people of flood as well as rain affected areas. He said, new dykes were constructed to avoid flood damages. He said, lining of small canals and drains were underway in various districts of the province. Meanwhile, Minister for Zakat and Ushr Naghma Mushtaq also replied to members' queries.
Earlier, the sitting, sixth sitting of ongoing 32th session of the current assembly, started 90 minutes behind its scheduled time with Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal in the Chair.
The House did not take up the Punjab Medical Supplies Authority Bill, 2017 appearing on the agenda.
The House disposed of a call attention notice due to absence of the mover.
A PTI lawmaker pointed out quorum and the head count was made and bells were rung for five minutes.
Later, the quorum was found incomplete and the Chair adjournment the sitting till next day, Tuesday morning.
