Agri tax must for economic prosperity

[LRE]

Agri tax must for economic prosperity

Commerce Reporter

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Economy Watch on Monday said Pakistan could not progress in absence of agricultural income tax. All the income generating measures will further slowdown already limping economy if this tax was not imposed.

Members of national as well as provincial assemblies and that of Senate belonging to government and opposition have expressed unparallel unity to resist imposition of tax on agricultural income which proves that they prefer personal interests over national interests, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President Pakistan Economy Watch.

"They have been doing this since decades by using pressure tactics and confusing whole issue," he said.

Top officials have been forced to bow out and chew their own words; now government is left with no justification to tax salaried class and small traders which are struggling to make both ends meet, he said.

Wealthy agriculturists who dominate all the important forums and houses seems to be more interested in non issues leaving important national matters in limbo. They would claim to be working for development of country and at the same time never pay taxes.

Agriculture is not contributing towards improvement of national resources rather it has become a tool to conceal earnings. "Many industrialists hide their money from being taxed after buying a small piece of land," said Dr. Murtaza Mughal.

This trend is forcing government to push the tax paying sectors that are already over burdened. Options are limited to generate more revenue in absence of agricultural income tax.

The recent report of the central bank demanded that expenses should not exceed earnings. Presence of around 60 ministers and advisors is not a burden on government and masses (read as claimed by the government) but it is a burden of the State Bank which is forced to print currency to meet princely living of these public representatives.

Combine harvester saves 20-30 percent loss of crop: Yasin: The proper application of modern combine harvester saves 25 to 30 per cent pre and post harvest crop losses thus improving economic conditions of the farmers.

It was observed by Dr Muhammad Yasin Director General,(Field),Agriculture Department Punjab on Monday while witnessing the field demonstration of Guard World Combined Paddy and Wheat Harvester here at Rice Research Institute, Punjab, Kala Shah Kaku, some 25 kilometre off here.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that Punjab government will fully promote and encourage modern research in agriculture sector to make the country self sufficient in foodgrain.

DG said that government under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif will continue to provide modern agricultural implements to farmers at their doorsteps to bring green revolution in the country.

He said first time in history, a record billions of rupees subsidy is being given to farmers across the province for the purchase of tractors, fertilizers, seed, pesticides and latest agricultural implements. He said that Punjab government attached great importance to the quick weal of growers and all possible excellent package of incentives is being offered to them to bring entire barren land under plough.

Dr Muhammad Amin said that now all available resources are being distributed equally in all the districts of the province at town level. He said in order to ensure transparency and merit, farmers are being given agricultural implements and all other allied services through computerised balloting at tehsil level.

He appreciated the contribution made by the Guard Agricultural Research and Services, for successfully evolving the best quality high yield five varieties of extra long hybrid grain rice in a short span of seven years. He said now they have also developed Guard World Combine Harvester for Paddy and Wheat in collaboration with China by using Japanese latest technology.

Director, Guard Agricultural Research and Services, Shahzad Ali Malik said "we have spent a record amount of Rs 300 millions on developing new best quality of rice varieties for the benefit of the farmers in the larger national interest without an financial assistance from any quarter".

He said the development of new rice varieties was the result of nine and a half years continuous research conducted by the team led by renowned deceased agri scientist Dr Majeed. He said that by the grace of Allah, we have achieved record bumper paddy crop upto 6.5 million ton which is 1 million more than that of previous year.

Shahzad Ali Malik congratulated the Chief Minister for signing an agreement with Chinese for BT cotton technology thus breaking the monopoly of American and European multinational technology providers. He hoped this technology will bring revolution in cotton crop and ultimately improve the socio-economic conditions of the peasants.

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