category Regional, chandigarh, , tags Regional, chandigarh, , DW BUREAU Chandigarh With wheat sowing season is around the corner, Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government is all set to distribute around two lakh quintals certified wheat seeds at subsidised rates among farmers of the state. Revealing this here today in a press communique, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian informed that the certified wheat seeds will be provided at 50 per cent subsidy of total cost of seeds, or to a maximum of Rs 1000 per quintal to farmers in the Rabi season. Farmers will pay only the amount left after reduction of the subsidy amount on the purchase of the wheat seeds. The subsidy for wheat seeds will be provided for a maximum of 5 acre (2 quintals) area per farmer, besides, the priority will be given to the SC, small (2.5 acres to 5 acres) and marginal farmers (up to 2.5 acres) in providing subsidised seeds, the Agriculture Minister said. The interested farmers of the state can submit their applications at online portal http: agrimachinerypb.com in prescribed Performa till October 31, 2023 to avail the subsidy on wheat seeds, he added. Asking Special Chief Secretary (Development) Mr KAP Sinha to ensure close monitoring of seeds being sold in the state, he said that only quality seeds should be provided to the farmers. While issuing strict warning to concerned officers employees of seed agencies as well as district and block level agriculture officers, S. Khudian categorically said that anybody found involved in malpractice while distributing the seeds will not be spared. Mr KAP Sinha said that the Agriculture department has ensured all requisite arrangements to provide wheat seeds at subsidised rates to the farmers. (editor dailyworld.in)