Launching the scheme at a function here today, Punjab Cooperation Minister Capt Kanwaljit Singh said the scheme which is venture of the IFFCO Kissan Sanchar Limited, a joint venture of IFFCO, and Airtel, would prove helpful for the second green revolution in the state.

He said that under the scheme, farmers would be provided technical assistance through five voice mails per day, besides availing a helpline facility to enquire about issues concerning their profession. He hoped the helpline would become lifeline for many farmers in the near future.

He disclosed that PACS would sell these mobile phones with connections of Airtel at 30 per cent cheaper rates than the market price. He said that PACS would do a business of around Rs 200 crore per annum which is 2 per cent of the total Rs 10,000 crore business in the state and the profit would be utilised to improve the condition of farmers. Besides mobile phones, the PACS that have almost 50 lakh members would sell other utility and household products to the consumers in rural Punjab, he added.

The minister said the Centre has always treated Punjab 0as food bowl of the nation, but has not helped the farmers to prosper. He further disclosed that the project to construct Dashmesh Canal that would prove to be the lifeline of the area has been forwarded to the Central Water Commission for approval and once the approval is granted work for the same would be started soon.