PML-N to take ‘political ownership’ of Punjab govt’s tractor scheme

The Punjab government on Monday issued directions to the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) politicians for the ‘political ownership’ of the Green Tractor Scheme in the remaining districts of the province,
Pakistan Today has learnt.
The government formed a committee under Senator Zulfiqar Khosa to ensure the presence of MPs during the distribution ceremonies in more than 20 remaining districts in Punjab. Other MPAs including Wilayat Shah Khagga and Rao Kashif are also on the committee to monitor the entire campaign and ensure the presence of local N-league politicians on the occasion.
Under the scheme, the government decided to give away 10,000 tractors to farmers with at least 2.5 acres of land, with the quota for south Punjab enhanced by 40 percent.
Moreover, the government would give a subsidy of Rs 200,000 to the manufacturer on each tractor as part of the scheme. Applications were received from the interested farmers and their names were finalised after computerised balloting.
So far, the district coordinator officers (DCOs) concerned and the agriculture executive district officers (EDOs) were tasked with the distribution and were conducting the ceremonies. However the high-ups have now decided to ensure presence of the party faces to boast the image for the upcoming general elections. A notification was also been issued to the concerned MPs in this respect.
Sources privy to the development said the decision came in a high-level meeting under the chief minister where the decision was taken for the political ownership of the project. Moreover, the project mainly focuses in south Punjab, which is a crucial province in the upcoming elections.
A senior official from the Agriculture Department, on the condition of anonymity said around 3,800 tractors had been distributed so far, while the campaign was ongoing in all 36 districts of Punjab.
Talking to Pakistan Today, Senator Pervaiz Rasheed said, “DCOs comprise government machinery and have to maintain a distance from the locals, which may cause grievances among the latter. Bureaucrats cannot hug everyone. Politicians have only been asked to remain present on the spot to address the peoples’ grievances, if at all they have any.”