GUJRAT: The local administration has requested the Punjab government to provide at least 122,000 bags of urea fertiliser in August as a quota for the cultivation of paddy crop in Gujrat district.

Though there has been no shortage of the fertiliser currently in the district, a formal request is made to the provincial government to fix the required quota of urea bags in thenext month by keeping in view the increase in the cultivation of paddy crop, said Afzal Hayat Tarrar, Gujrat additional deputy commissioner general (ADCG), here on Monday.

He said the provision of fertiliser that was imported by the government, could keep the rates of it controlled in the market. He said the laser land leveler would also be provided to the farmers having less than 12 acres land on subsidised rates in Gujrat as per the government policy for whichapplications had already been invited by the agriculture department.

Such applications could be submitted until Aug 10 by those who fulfil the prerequisites for the issuance of agriculturalimplements as the provincial government would give a subsidy of Rs200,000 for the provision oflaserland leveler, Mr Tarrar said and added that a meeting of agricultural advisory committee of the district had also been held to review the situation in this regard.Itislearntthatthelocal agriculture department authorities have set a target of installation of drip as well as sprinkler system for the irrigation purposesatevery200acresof the paddy crop in the district.

An of ficial of the agriculture department said at least 10 cases of sale of f ake fertiliser to the farmers had been lodged against those involved in the illegal practice whereas a fine of Rs900,000 had also been imposed against such elements across the district.