Punjab Deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal has said the Punjab government had submitted a proposal to the center to amend the national crop insurance scheme as its few clauses are not suitable to the interests of Punjab farmers.He said the union minister Mrs Harsimrat Kaur Badal had also raised the issue in this regard at appropriate platform in Delhi as the provision like 75 rain fall deficit to avail the insurance benefit is against the interests of farmers of the state.
Interacting with media persons here today after inaugurating the first of its kind automated test driving centre, Mr Badal said the Punjab government led by chief minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal had taken various bold initiatives to bail out the debt ridden farmers from agrarian crisis which mainly includes interest free loan upto Rs one lakh annually to farmers for seasonal crop production which would be paid in installments.Deputy CM also announced that Punjab government has set up call centers for beneficiaries who could lodge their complaints if any in social security schemes. Besides, random calls would be made to enquire the satisfaction level of farmers under Bhagat Puran Singh Sehat Bima Yojna in the coming days.Terming the Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal as anti Punjab and biggest liar, he said Kejriwal stance on the contentious SYL issue has proved that he is anti-state and anti-farmers. He said "Punjabis has disregarded Kejriwal after they came to know about the reality of AAP and only the congress will be in the opposition during 2017 assembly elections.Earlier addressing a huge gathering, Mr Badal said the recruitment process for more than one lakh posts would start in two weeks.
Besides, 200 skill development centres would be opened soon to train one lakh students in a year to ensure self employment for Punjab youth.In a major announcement the Deputy CM said the construction of Bist Doab cabal at a cost of Rs. 600 crore would be completed in next three months which would facilitate the farmers on large scale in Doaba region.On the occasion Union minister and BJP president Vijay Sampla, cabinet minister Sohan Singh Thandal, CPS Mohinder Kaur Josh, Advisor to chief minister Tikshan Sood, former MP Avinash Rai Khanna, MLA Surinder Singh Bhulewal Ratthan, youth Akali dal president (Doaba zone) Sarbjot Singh Sabhi also addressed the gathering.