BAHAWALPUR, Jan 11: The fertilizer crisis deepens as prices in the black-market have shot up to over Rs1,100 per bag in the district.

According to agriculturists, the non-availability of fertilizer will have a negative impact on the agriculture production, particularly the wheat output. Kissan Board central secretary-general Jam Hazoor while expressing concern over an acute shortage of fertilizer said that the farming community was facing hardships to get the fertilizer from dealers and stockists.

He said during the past days the local administration managed the sale of fertilizer under the supervision of its magistrates, but the quantity was too short to meet the requirement of farmers with the result that most of the area under wheat cultivation remained without fertilizer.

To save the rabi crop from damage, he said not only the shortage of fertilizer should be overcome but the administration and the agriculture department should also arrange ample stocks.

FUNDS RELEASED: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has released a sum of Rs450 million for different projects of Bahawal Victoria Hospital (BVH).

MPA Zulfiqar Ali Khan said here on Sunday that Rs149 million had been set aside for the kidney centre, Rs198 million for neuro surgery project, Rs39 million for four operation theatres, Rs35 million for the female jubilee hospital and the rest of the amount for other projects.

He said that out of Rs149 million, Rs50 million had been earmarked for the kidney centre building while the remaining amount would be utilized for the purchase of machinery and other parts.