LAHORE: The Kisan Board Pakistan (KBP) has rejected the federal budget for taxing farm inputs instead of providing relief to the agriculture sector reeling under what is called failed agricultural policies.

KBP Vice President Amanullah Chattha said in a statement on Wednesday that the government admitted in the Economic Survey 2024-25 that agricultural production dropped during the ongoing financial year, reflecting failures of the policies of an agrarian country.

He said not only the production of four major crops wheat, cotton, rice and sugarcane declined drastically but wheat growers also suffered Rs2,200 billion losses as the crop was sold much below its production cost. `The farmers suffered so much that theyare unable to sow the next crop,` he added.

He criticised the government for imposing 18pc tax on solar panels, which were being used for agriculture tubewells, while carbon levy was also increased on petroleum products. The all-important urea fertiliser prices had also been increased by Rs200 per bag, he added.

He stressed the government reduce the production cost of farmers so that the country could gain economic stability.

Meanwhile, the Textile Powerloom Garment Workers Federation criticised the government for increasing taxes on essentials and utilities to be used by the working class but refrained from enhancing the minimum wage for them.

Federation General Secretary Niaz Khan said atthe executive committee meeting that the government ignored the plight of 80 million workers in the budget by not announcing enhanced minimum wage.

He said the government, on the other hand, increased the salaries and perks of government employees by 10pc while taxes were imposed on the merchandise that were used by labourers.

He demanded the government immediately increase the wages of workers of industrial and commercial establishments by 50pc. He also demanded immediate increase in the pension rate of Employees OldAge Benefits Institution (EOBI).Staff Reporter