KARACHI,(March 20 2004): Agriculture Minister Arif Mustafa Jatoi informed the Sindh Assembly session on Friday that the prices of pesticides have decreased during the last five years , whereas the rates of IRRI-6 have been fixed by the federal government.

In a written reply to the question put forward by MPA Sharfun Nisa, the minister said that the support price for IRRI-6 had been fixed by the federal government and on the basis of the resolution adopted by the Sindh Assembly for the fixation of support price for IRRI-6 of Rs350 per 40 kg the Centre had been approached to consider the demand of the growers while fixing the support price.

He said that the rates of urea had registered an increase during the period, but the government was not involved in reducing the prices as the pesticide and fertiliser were being marketed by private firms.

In reply to the question of Jam Mehtab Hussain Dahar, who wanted to know the details of the ADP schemes 2002-03 with expenditure and completed by June 30, 2003 in each taluka of Ghotki district, the minister said that taluka-level schemes in districts were being implemented by the district governments and the DCO Ghotki had been asked to provide the details about the schemes.

Regarding damage to the date crop during monsoon in Sukkur and Khairpur districts, which was asked by Dr Mahreen Razzaq Bhutto, Mr Jatoi said that 30 to 40 per cent date crop was damaged and the district relief committees were considering payment of compensation to the affected growers. He also informed the House that cold storage facilities were available with the private sector in the major date growing areas.

Replying to a question of Nasreen Chandio, the minister said that the weight and measures department was part of bureau of supply and prices, but it was dissolved therefore it was at present functioning independently as a cell under the administrative control of the provincial government. The checking and collection of fee were being carried out by the officials of the cell.

In response to a question of Ghulam Mujadid Isran, the minister for excise and taxation said that on March 31, 2003 the excise police of Kambar taluka in Larkana district had recovered 176kg charas.

The excise minister, replying to a question put forward by Mohammad Rafique, informed the House that the duties and taxes were levied by the respective assemblies in their provinces and that at present there was no proposal to reduce the rate of any taxes, fee or duties on liquors. However, to discourage smuggling of liquor the federal government had been approached to direct all the provinces to maintain uniformity in taxes.

To yet another question of Mr Rafique, the minister informed said that the amount payable against M/s S.S. Miranda beverages was Rs27,869,825 whose licence was cancelled on default of Rs8,000,000 as assessment fee. However, keeping in view the order of Sindh High Court the licensee was allowed to function subject to the payment of all outstanding dues.

DAWN