The Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that Punjab Kisan Vikas Chamber (PKVC)-Farmers’ advisory body first of its kind in the country would help the sagging agrarian economy to come a stage back as this platform would prove to be a milestone in putting the views of eminent agriculture experts and economists across the state government as well as Government of India in streamlining the policies related to agriculture and allied farming. While laying the foundation stone of PKVC to be constructed over two acres of land here in Aero City, the Chief Minister said that this farmers’ autonomous body would certainly help them to do lobbying to get their genuine demands accepted at the Centre’s level through persuasion within the democratic means. He said this Chamber on the pattern of industrial organizations like Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), PHD Chamber of Commerce, Associated Chambers of Commerce of India (ASSOCHAM) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) would provide affirmative say of peasantry in the policies and programs related to agricultural and allied activities.
The Chief Minister said this would be a non-political forum exclusively dedicated to the cause of farming community. He also said that eminent academicians and experts in different fields of Agriculture and allied services have been nominated in this prestigious organization adding Mr. Badal said that this body would surely reach zenith of its glory under stewardship of Chairman Punjab Farmers’ Commission Dr. G.S. Kalkat as its patron and leading progressive farmer Mr. Kulwant Singh as its President. Mr. Badal said the entire construction cost of the chamber’s complex would be borne by the state government and the adequate land had been provided by GMADA free of cost. The state government had initially provided Rs. 20 crore as corps fund to run the chamber till it becomes fully self sustainable.
The Chief Minister said it was high time to set up such organization to provide an interactive platform to the farmers so as to enable them to take up their issues at an appropriate level for the quick resolution to their satisfaction. Mr. Badal said that the chamber would engage the services of renowned agriculture experts for seeking their advice on matters related to the agriculture sector. This would help the chamber to contest their claims vigorously with the central and state government in a meaningful and result oriented manner. Likewise, legal advice on certain contentious issues with regard to inter-state marketing and export policies would be sought from legal experts.
Speaking on the function, Patron of PKVC Dr. Kalkat said that this chamber was the brainchild of Mr. Badal who was deeply concerned to resolve the current agrarian crisis and committed for the welfare of the farmers especially the small and marginal ones. He said this initiative of the state government would go a long way in putting our dwindling agriculture economy on strong pedestal. He hoped the chamber in close coordination with PAU would give far better extension services to motivate the farmers for adopting new farm practices on scientific lines.On the occasion, the Chief Minister honored the Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Mr. Suresh Kumar on his superannuation with the shawl and sword as a token of love and affection. He highly appreciated the services rendered by Mr. Kumar in each and every department where he served in different capacities with full commitment, professional zeal and honesty.
Prominent amongst others who were present on the function included Agriculture Minister Mr. Tota Singh, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Mr. Des Raj Dhugga and Mr. NK Sharma, Secretary Agriculture Mr. Vivek Partap Singh, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar, Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Balwinder Singh Sidhu and Director Agriculture Mr. Jasbir Singh Bains, DIG Rupnagar Mr. Gursharan Singh, Deputy Commissioner Mohali Mr. DS Mangat and SSP Mohali Mr. GS Bhullar.