In a bid to compete in the World market, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today asked the Markfed to intensify its efforts for obtaining international registration of its SOHNA brand. This decision was taken by Badal in a high level meeting with the Senior Officers of the Markfed to review its functioning here at Chief Minister’s official residence on Sunday. Taking part in the deliberations, Badal also directed Managing Director Markfed to expedite the modernising of Canneries at Jalandhar, besides initiating vigorous efforts to expand into the domestic and International market. Badal also gave in principal approval for the recruitment of technical and marketing staff in Markfed.Later, monitoring the functioning of Milkfed, Sugerfed and Housefed, Badal directed the state Chief Secretary to follow up with the Government of India related to the issue of recovery of nearly Rs. 15000 crore on account of Foodgrain handling by various procurement agencies of the State. In order to improve the economic condition of the farmers, the Chief Minister directed the Managing Director Milkfed to make concerted efforts to boost the dairy sector in Punjab. Taking stock of MILKFED's plan to enhance the capacity of milk plant at Mohali to 5 Lac Litres per day at a cost of Rs.39 crores, Badal directed that a comprehensive program should be prepared to carry out modernization and capacity enhancement of other milk plants being run by Milkfed. He also desired that the action plan for improving the milk procurement by strengthening milk procurement infrastructure should be implemented quickly. He also asked MILKFED to prepare a time bound plan to persify its products range by developing new products besides chalking out a complete marketing strategy for its sale. He also gave nod to the recruitment of technical and marketing staff in Milkfed also. The Chief Minister also directed Markfed and Milkfed to improve the Cattle feed product profile to include the products like High Energy, Protein Bypass, Fat Bypass in consultation with GADVASU or some other organisations of national repute. It was also decided in the meeting to strengthen the Semen Bank at Bhattian by purchasing new bulls and procuring high quality semen, from abroad if necessary, for improving the productivity of available breed of cows and buffaloes. Badal also directed the MD Housefed to ensure that all the three under-construction projects of Housefed at Banur, Mohali and Kapurthala were completed as per schedule and a punitive action should be initiated against the Executing Agency in case of any delay as per the terms of the Contract.The Chief Minister also directed the MD Sugarfed to expedite the process of reviving the sugar mills in co-operative sector at Tarn Taran, Zira and Patiala on built, Operate, Own and Transfer (BOOT) basis as per the Cabinet decision taken earlier. Co-generation projects at various sugar mills be also got completed expeditiously, added Badal.