Working of Benazir Tractor Scheme in last stage: ZTBL clarifies

[Naveed Yaseen]

KARACHI (August 19 2009): The present democratic government of the Pakistan People's Party has announced Benazir Tractor Scheme (BTS) for the supply of 20,000 tractors to the farmers at subsidised rate for which in the current budget, funds for 10,000 tractors have been allocated to mechanise the agriculture sector and 10,000 tractors' funds would be allocated in the next financial year.

ZTBL was assigned the task of BTS on the directive of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (Minfal). ZTBL published advertisements through the print and electronic media from July 18-20, 2009. The last date for the receipt of the applications was fixed 3rd August, 2009 which was later extended up to 5th August, 2009 due to the heavy demand of the applications from farming community and print media as well.

ZTBL supplied 445,030 forms to its 346 branches through out the country. 354,526 forms were sold out and 303,693 applications received by the branches of ZTBL, out of which 277,106 declared eligible for the BTS after the scrutiny on the basis of criteria laid down by the federal government. 26,430 applications were rejected on the basis that these applicants could not clear past dues.

The data of the total 303,693 applications received by ZTBL has been compiled. The government has decided that the Ministry of Information Technology with the help of Ministry for Food and Agriculture (Minfal), the balloting would be in the last week of August, 2009 in all the provinces at Tehsil level except Sindh province because the government of Sindh's inability to provide the list of BTS applicants at Tehsil level.

There has been no delay at the part of ZTBL and the hank has completed its task in a very fair and transparent manner and no complaint has been received from the farming community throughout the country.

As per over-publicised misleading media reports about ZTBL President about the special parliamentary committee on Finance, appearance and his presentation about ZTBL role in the agriculture sector of Pakistan, it is worth mentioning that both the time the said committee called the President ZTBL, he was out of the country. ZTBL President has himself requested the committee that he will be present for briefing the committee about ZTBL and its new projects.

Since taking office a year back, President ZTBL has formulated strategies and initiatives for agriculture sector which would contribute to the well being of the farmers and enhanced productivity of the crops leading to self sufficiency in food products of the country.-PR

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