Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today solicited fulsome support and cooperation from NITI Aayog for ansforming the fortunes of the farmers of the state by introducing special schemes catering to their needs.Interacting with a high level delegation comprising Member of NITI Aayog Prof. Ramesh Chand and Advisor Mr. Jitender Kumar who called on him at his residence this evening, the Chief Minister underscored the need for formulating special schemes for the state to benefit its farmers.
He said that the farming community in the state was facing a severe crisis adding that though the state government was making all out efforts to ameliorate their sufferings but the NITI Aayog could further play a proactive role in it with the help of the Union government. Mr. Badal said that special schemes must be formulated to promote crop diversification and boosting the prospects of the agro industry in the state.Flagging up another issue, the Chief Minister asked the delegation to expedite the matter of getting approval for the project of rejuvenation and renovation of Upper Bari Doaba Canal (UBDC), which was lying with the Union government. He said that this century old canal, which was the lifeline of Majha region, could further augment the irrigation potential in the region. Dwelling on another issue, the Chief Minister asked the delegation to ensure subsidy for installing barbed wire/ fencing in the Kandi/ hilly areas to prevent the damage caused to the crops of the farmers by Wild animals. He said that the state government was mulling to construct ‘Cattle Ponds’ for checking the entry of wild animals in the residential areas adding that the Aayog must formulate a policy for giving subsidy to the farmers for this.
Taking part in deliberations Prof. Ramesh Chand said that the Punjab was harbinger of food security in the country and today also the farmers of the state could be immensely benefitted by major reforms like Unified Market system, Model Land Lease Law and Rurban Clusters scheme under the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rurban Mission as these Clusters would act as incubate growth centres in rural areas by providing infrastructure amenities and market access for the farmers adding that they would also expand employment opportunities for the youth. He assured the Chief Minister that NITI Aayog would take every possible step to facilitate the farming community of the state.Prominent amongst other present in the meeting included Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema.