Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday impressed upon the Union Power Minister RK singh to ensure uninterrupted and regular supply to Punjab during the ensuing paddy season. The Chief Minister, who called on the Minister here at his office this evening , apprised the Minister about the power requirement of the state in wake of the coming paddy season. He said that the Punjab had since long been the country’s food bowl as hard working and resilient farmers of the state has made the country self reliant in food production. Bhagwant Mann urged the Union Minister that during the paddy season the farmers of state need surplus power to contribute in national food kitty by growing paddy.
The Chief Minister informed RK Singh that in wake of the paddy season it is utmost important to ensure regular and uninterrupted supply of electricity to the farmers. He also said that it is the legitimate right of Punjab which has fulfilled the food needs of the country. He also apprised the Union Minister that Punjab government is making strenuous efforts to bring the farmers out of the wheat and paddy cycle. The Chief Minister said that it is the need of hour to make agriculture a profitable venture. He said that the state government is already having detailed parleys with all the stakeholders including the farmers to draw a consensus on the issue. Mr Mann expressed hope that the concerted efforts of the state government will soon bear fruits. Meanwhile, the Union Minister assured Mr Bhagwant Mann that the Union government will sympathetically consider the genuine demands of the state government. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Chief Secretary Punjab Anirudh Tiwari, Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister A Venu Prasad, Principal Resident Commissioner, Punjab Bhawan Rakhee Gupta Bhandari and others.