PUNJAB CM SEEKS MSP ON BASMATI, Rs 500/QUINTAL COMPENSATION FOR LOSS IN WHEAT CROP

| | New Delhi/Chandigarh
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PUNJAB CM SEEKS MSP ON BASMATI, Rs 500/QUINTAL COMPENSATION FOR LOSS IN WHEAT CROP

Friday, 20 May 2022 | PNS | New Delhi/Chandigarh

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday called on the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss several state-specific issues related to agriculture, besides Punjab’s “curtailed” representation in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), and security, especially the border areas.

 

During the meeting, Mann sought the minimum support price (MSP) on Basmati while impressing upon him to issue notification for the purchase of Basmati on MSP. At the same time, he also sought Rs 500 per quintal compensation for the loss suffered by the farmers for low yield of wheat grains.

 

Mann informed Shah that it is need of hour to bring the farmers out of the rut of wheat-paddy cycle. “MSP on Basmati will help in saving precious resources in the form of water in the state. It will also give a boost to crop diversification in the state,” he said.

 

Seeking compensation for low wheat yield, Mann said that due to intense heat during this summer season, the wheat grains in Punjab have been damaged and it is high time that farmers must be compensated for this damage by giving a compensation worth Rs 500 per quintal for low yield to them.

 

“The hard working and resilient farmers of the state have made enormous contributions in making our country self-reliant in food production, and now, the Union Government must bail them out in this hour of crisis,” he said.

 

Raising another issue, the Chief Minister asked Shah to repeal the order pertaining to abolishing the member of Punjab in the BBMB. “This is a discriminatory step which has bruised the psyche of every Punjabi,” he said adding that the Union Government must roll back this retrogressive step which dilutes the federal structure in the State.

 

MHA ALLOTS 10 MORE COMPANIES TO PUNJAB

 

Expressing concern over repeated attempts to disturb hard-earned peace in the State, the Chief Minister sought 10 additional companies of paramilitary forces in Punjab. Responding to it, the Union Home Minister immediately allotted 10 additional companies of paramilitary forces in the state. Mann, while thanking the Union Home Minister, assured him that Punjab will be instrumental in safeguarding the security and sovereignty of country.

 

SEEKS ANTI-DRONE TECHNOLOGY FOR CHECKING CROSS BORDER SMUGGLING THROUGH DRONES

 

The Chief Minister also expressed deep concern over the increasing drug and weapon smuggling from across the border through drone and impressed upon the Union Minister to immediately provide anti-drone technology to the state for foiling such attempts. “It is all the more important for the nation’s security, thus rising above petty politics,” said Mann, adding that security at borders has to be intensified for defending our country’s security and sovereignty. At the same time, the Chief Minister assured Amit Shah that Punjab will uphold the ethos of communal harmony, peace, and brotherhood in the state. “Every attempt to divide the State in communal lines will be foiled and hard earned peace of state will be maintained at every cost...Punjab has always remained the sword arm of the country and State will continue to uphold this glorious tradition,” he said.

 

CENTRE, STATE TO WORK JOINTLY ON NATIONAL SECURITY: MANN

 

After the meeting, the Chief Minister said that he had an elaborate dialogue with the Union Minister on the issue of the state of security in Punjab in addition to other contemporary issues like the BBMB appointment, Basmati procurement, etc.  On the issue of maintaining law and order in the state, Mann and Shah agreed on working jointly and above the party lines. “I had an elaborate dialogue with the Home Minister Amit Shah on the security situation in the State. In light of the recent incidents of clashes in Patiala and Karnal, arrests have been made. We agreed to work together above party and politics on the issue of national security,” he said.

 

“We had demanded an anti-drone technology for Punjab given the increasing usage of drones by adversaries to infiltrate drugs, weapons etc into Punjab. The Home Minister assured that he will consider providing Punjab with a jammer technology for drones, which freezes drone assets from flying,” he said. Mann added that the Home Minister also assured to send 10 companies of paramilitary forces by the evening of May 20. “This will be in addition to the 10 companies which have been already sent to the State recently,” he added.

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