|
Move to close Sindh Seed
Corporation resented
HYDERABAD -General Secretary,
Sindh Seed Corporation(SSC) Employees Union warned the
provincial government that the closer of Sindh Seed
Corporation, sole seed producing unit in private sector, would
not only render over 250 employees but also left the farmer
community on the mercy of multinational companies.
Addressing a press conference, the SSC employees' union office
bearers said that on the recommendation of World Bank, Sindh
Seed Corporation was established under Seed Act 1976 at a cost
of Rs 87.915 million with a foreign exchange component of Rs
24.4 million with an objective to provide good quality seeds
of various crops to farming community in the province.
They maintained that the SSC failed to implement its programme
as the government slashed the annual budget of the
corporation. Moreover, earlier government of Pakistan and
government of Sindh were providing subsidy on seeds but that
too have been stopped by the federal and provincial
governments for last 6 to 7 years without giving any reason
and as a result the carryover seed stock had to auction at
lower rates resulting in heavy losses to SSC.
They also maintained that the federal government has provided
Rs 36 million in 1992 as revolving fund to avoid mark-up of
the banks but the provincial government within one month has
withdrawn that amount from the corporation.
They said according to government directive the SSC will be
closed on 1st July 2002 but by the end of the Rabi cropping
season the corporation has been asked not to process seeds
instead purchased seed from Punjab Seed Corporation which also
seed producing project in public sector but the government of
Punjab has refused to close down that facilities in the
interest of the growers.
They appealed to Sindh government to review its decision and
not wind up this organisation on the recommendation of ADB,
which, it seems, is out to clear the ground for the
multinational companies to interfere in Pakistan Agriculture
Sector.
courtesy Daily
Business Recorder ,
23
April, 2002
|
Pakissan.com;
|
