LAHORE: Farmers have given the Punjab government ultimatum to fulfill their demands pertaining to wheat support price and bogus seed by March 10 or face a provincewide protest drive.

The ultimatum was given in a meeting between farmers` representatives and Punjab agriculture and foods ministers here on Friday.

Kissan Board Pakistan general secretary Chaudhry Shaukat Chadhar informed Dawn after the meeting that the ministers were told wheat growers would not sell their produce to the government at less than Rs1,500 per 40 kg rate this season because of the skyrocketing increase in prices of farm inputs.

He said the farmers would prefer selling wheat to the private sector,which is likely to offer Rs1,600 plus price, than transporting it to government procurement centres at Rs1,365 per 40 kg official rates.

Mr Chadhar said minister Malik Nauman Langrial and Samiullah Chaudhry were also told about the menace of open sale of bogus seeds of various crops.

He said as sowing season of maize crop has set in, the mafia has not only taken the seed price Rs1,000 to Rs1,500 more than retail price of corn but also started selling spurious seed without any let or hindrance.

He said action against dealers of poor quality seeds was not strict as even if in some cases the relevant authorities would challan the unscrupulous elements the courts won`t impose a fine of more than Rs7,000 per case allowing the accused to again become active inthe market.

The KBP leader suggested that the bogus or poor quality seed dealers must compensate for the loss of farmers.

He lamented that the Seed Act has been enacted but was not being implemented as powers to the inspectors concerned were not being delegated under pressure of the mafia.

He said if the government does not respond to the demands by March 10 they would give a call for protest against the apathetic attitude of the authorities concerned.

A handout issued by the government said the minister assured the farmers` delegation that stringent measures would be taken against sale of spurious seeds, while each and every grain of wheat would be procured at the officially notified support price.