Punjab Water Resources and Mining Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal while participating in the Budget debate in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha today appreciated Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema for presenting a historic and people oriented Budget despite several financial constraints faced by the state due to union government's apathy.
The Cabinet Minister said the Budget has been presented without imposing any new tax on the people even after the discontinuation of annual GST compensation of nearly Rs.30000 crore since 2022. He said the state government has also faced natural disasters and lack of financial cooperation from the Union Government besides delay in release of Punjab’s legitimate funds.
Even then the Budget ensures major welfare initiatives for every section of society which makes it a commendable financial roadmap for the state. Speaking on the issue of the projected Rs.20000 crore revenue from mining, Barinder Kumar Goyal said the statement made earlier by national leader Arvind Kejriwal was based on the immense potential of potash mineral reserves in Punjab.
He explained that potash is a critical mineral which is currently imported for agricultural fertilisers across the country. He informed that surveys conducted earlier indicated the presence of potash deposits in parts of Punjab and earlier dispensations did not pursue this opportunity seriously but the Mann government raised the matter with the Union Government and central agencies.
Following our sustained efforts, fresh exploration work has been initiated in village Qabarwala of district Fazilka covering nearly 48 kilometres area with an estimated survey cost of Rs.19.3 crore. He informed that according to preliminary drilling assessments the quality of potash found in the region is encouraging.
Barinder Kumar Goyal said that while exploration and auction powers lie with the Union Government the royalty from mineral extraction will accrue to the state government. He expressed confidence that once exploration is completed and mining begins the state can generate significant royalty income which may exceed Rs.20000 crore while also reducing the country’s dependence on imported fertiliser minerals.
Responding to concerns raised regarding the Mining Department, the Cabinet Minister said repeated allegations regarding illegal mining are politically motivated and often made without understanding the difference between mining operations and desilting of rivers. He said earlier when floods occurred there were complaints that silt was not removed and rivers were not cleaned but now when the government has started desilting and cleaning rivers the same activity is wrongly labelled as illegal mining.
In reality this work contributes to river rejuvenation and flood prevention in Punjab. He informed that the Punjab Government has adopted a strict enforcement approach against genuine cases of illegal mining with 1573 FIRs registered and 1655 challans presented so far.
For public interest the Punjab Government also supplied soil for the Ludhiana-Ropar national highway project at Rs.3 per cubic foot while the market price is around Rs.6 per cubic foot. About four crore cubic metres of soil was provided for this public project.
The Cabinet Minister further stated that significant mining reforms undertaken by the state government have been recognised at the national level. As per the State Mining Readiness Index, announced by the Union Government, Punjab has secured the first position in mining reforms in three categories including auction performance mine operationalisation and sustainable mining reforms.
He added that the state has received a reward of Rs.200 crore from the Union Government for this achievement which stands credited to the state exchequer. Highlighting development initiatives in his constituency, the Cabinet Minister expressed happiness over the announcement of a Medical College at Lehragaga.
He said the region was earlier identified as a backward area for many years but the decision of the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann will transform healthcare facilities in the region. He informed the House that once operational, the Medical College will begin OPD and IPD services within a month and around eleven specialist doctors will start providing services for the people of the area.
Highlighting irrigation reforms the Minister said that since assuming office in 2022, the Punjab Government has focused on ensuring canal water supply till the tail ends in order to reduce excessive dependence on groundwater. He said that earlier Punjab utilised only around 24 percent of its share of dam water whereas the Mann government has increased utilisation to nearly 78 percent.
The Cabinet Minister informed that around Rs.6500 crore has been invested to strengthen the canal irrigation network compared to about Rs.2046 crore spent during the previous government’s three year period. Major works include enhancement of the capacity of the Ferozepur Feeder to 2600 cusecs with widening and deepening of the canal and expansion of the Sirhind Canal capacity by 2700 cusecs which will provide irrigation to about 9.35 lakh acres of farmland.
He said that strengthening these key canals has effectively created irrigation capacity equivalent to constructing a new Bhakra canal thereby ensuring reliable water supply for farmers across large parts of the state.