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Punjab forms panel to review farm milk price

Chandigarh: The Punjab Government on Thursday decided to constitute a permanent committee to review the farm gate milk price periodically with reference to cost of production.

The referred cost of production would be estimated on the basis of breed, region and season by the Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU).

The decision was taken here by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal while chairing a joint meeting of progressive dairy, poultry and fish farmers.

It was also decided in the meeting to vest powers for the prevention of adulteration in liquid milk to the Dairy Development Department concurrently with the State Health Department, an official spokesman said.

The Chief Minister assured the dairy, poultry and fish farmers that he would soon take up their case of exemption of income tax with the Union Ministry of Finance, on the pattern of agriculture, as the income accrued from allied farming should also be exempted from the income tax. He also desired that a uniform design/pattern should be adopted for the said purpose and suggested to utilise the services of a dairy consultant in the field to create infrastructure for dairy development in a meaningful manner.

Mr. Badal also asked the board to regularly organise animal fairs and milk competitions to encourage dairy farming amongst the farmers of the state. He asked the Chief Engineer Commercial, Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB), to ensure interrupted 24-hour power supply to the dairy units consisting of at least 50 animals.

The Chief Minister also conceded to the demand of the dairy farmers to allow them to import semen of superior quality bulls directly from the reputed companies across the globe and said that he would soon take up the matter with the Union Ministry of Agriculture, department of Animal Husbandry.

The Chief Minister also directed the Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry for initiating a procedure to give due representation to the progressive dairy farmers on the Punjab Dairy Development Board to enable them to contribute immensely towards the development of dairy.

He also directed to constitute a joint committee of milk producers and processors to discuss the modalities for levying cess on the milk production and processing.

Mr. Badal also directed the Department of Fisheries to devise a self sustainable mechanism to fix minimum support price for fish. He also underscored the need for modernisation of fish farms on the scientific lines to enhance the production of high quality fish seed. -- PTI

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