Laying stress on setting up more ultra modern Centers of Excellence for undertaking Research and Design (R&D) to promote agriculture persification in state, Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that these were the ‘Temples of Second Green Revolution’ which were required for bailing out the farmers from current agrarian crisis.Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the Centre of Excellence for Vegetable (CEV) here today, the Chief Minister said that it was a historic day for the entire Punjab as a new chapter for the growth and prosperity of the state has been initiated. He said that though the farmers of the state had played a vanguard role in making the country self reliant in food production but due to the wrong policies of the Union government they were on the verge of economic disaster. Mr. Badal said that the massive hike in cost of agricultural inputs coupled with the non remunerative MSP has broken the backbone of the farmers due to which there was dire need for adopting crop persification in state.
The Chief Minister said that in the current scenario these Centers of Excellence would play a vanguard role not only in saving the already exhausted natural resources of the state but would also be instrumental in ensuring the all-round development of the state and prosperity of its farmers. He said that the ultra modern techniques used in such centers would acquaint the farmers with the global technology being used in the field of agriculture so as to update their expertise for making sure that they reap maximum profits from the persification of agriculture. Mr. Badal said that the state government was leaving no stone unturned to ensure that more and more such centers were opened in the state for the larger interests of the farmers adding that special thrust was being laid on promoting the cultivation of vegetables and citrus fruits through them.
Recalling the strong ties between Israel and Punjab, the Chief Minister said that both Israel and Punjab shared a strong bond of making supreme sacrifices for safeguarding their motherland. He exhorted the Ambassador of Israel Mr. Alon Ushpiz to support the state government for opening more such centers in Punjab so that the farmers could be benefitted from it. Mr. Badal said that opening of more such centers in the state would further strengthen the bonds between Israel and Punjab.The Chief Minister also called upon the farmers of the state to adopt crop persification not only to enhance their income but to ensure sustainable growth of the state. He said that it was the high time that the farmers must come out of the rut of wheat-paddy rotation, which were not only less remunerative but also required extensive water. Mr. Badal said that the state government has already embarked a major initiative to promote crop persification adding that farmers must take benefit of it by adopting the cultivation of Maize, Soyabean, vegetables and fruits to reap more profits from them.
In his address, Ambassador of Israel Mr. Alon Ushpiz said that the inauguration of this centre was significant because it would lay the foundation of good health of the future generations and prosperity of farmers in the state. He also lauded the state government’s effort for setting up this centre in a time bound and professional manner adding that due to such rare qualities Punjab was a progressive state today. The Ambassador said that centre would not only showcase the modern equipments in agriculture but it would initiate a new era of bilateral ties based on mutual trust and support between Israel and Punjab. “This centre was a result of sheer hard work, commitment and vision of the Government of Punjab and Israel” added Mr. Allen. The Chief Minister also felicitated the Ambassador by presenting him a replica of Golden temple.
Earlier interacting with the media persons, the Chief Minister out rightly rejected any possibility of handing the probe of drug peddling to the CBI. He said that there was hardly need for it because the state Police was investigating the case in an efficient manner. “We have been a votary of minimum interference of the union government in such matters then how can we transfer this case when our security agencies were working efficaciously” added Mr. Badal.On a question regarding the possible merger of PPP led by Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal with the Aam Aadmi Party, the Chief Minister said that it would hardly have any impact in the state. He said that the credibility of Mr. Arvind Kejriwal as the Chief Minister of Delhi would be seen in future adding that it was too early to comment on this issue at this stage.
Replying to a query regarding the heavy security cover provided to the Chief Ministers and Ministers in the country, the Chief Minister said that the security cover of the VVIPs was determined by Union government and the state governments hardly have any role in curtailing or increasing them. He said that the central security agencies regularly monitor the threat perception to the VVIPs and likewise the security cover was fixed according to the need. However, Mr. Badal refused to comment on the refusal of Z plus security by AAP leader Mr. Arvind Kejriwal.The Chief Minister was accompanied by Cabinet Minister Mr. Sarwan Singh Phillaur, MLA Mr. Gurpartap Singh Wadala, his Special Principal Secretary Mr. Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, Secretary Agriculture Mr. Kahan Singh Pannu, Mission Director National Horticulture Mission Mr. Sanjeev Chopra, Commissioner Jalandhar pision Mr. R. Venkatratnam, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Varun Roojam, Director Agriculture Dr. Mangal Singh and Director Horticulture Mission, Punjab Dr. Gurkanwal Singh.