Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has demanded a special package for the overall development of the state from the 16th Finance Commission team that visited the state on Monday. Chief Minister Dr. Chairman of the Commission. Arvind Panagariya, Members Ajay Narayan Jha, Anne George Mathew, Dr. Manoj Panda and Dr. In addition to Soumyakanti Ghosh, Ritvik Pandey, Secretary of the Commission was given a warm welcome. The Chief Minister said that a special economic package should be given to Punjab for its contribution in making the country self-sufficient in foodgrains and for protection of production and independence. He said that Punjabis have made their mark in every field across the world and this package will further strengthen the economic development of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann hoped that the finance commission would consider the demands of the state government sympathetically and allocate funds to Punjab with an open heart.
To promote the development of the state, the Chief Minister received from the Finance Commission Rs. 1,32,247 crores funds have been demanded. He said that in this fund Rs. 75,000 crore development fund, agriculture and crop diversification with Rs. 5,025 crore, to tackle narco-terrorism and drug menace Rs. 8,846 crores include revive the industry. Bhagwant Singh Mann for Urban Local Bodies Rs. 9426 crore and for rural local bodies Rs. 10,000 crore has also been demanded.
Farmers and soldiers made unparalleled contributions
The Chief Minister gave a warm welcome to the Commission to reach the holy land of great Gurus, Saints, Pirs and Martyrs. He said that Punjab is known as the grain storehouse of the country as the hardworking farmers of the state have contributed immensely in making the country self-sufficient in grain production. Even now after independence it is protecting the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the country.
The Chief Minister said that our government has embarked on a journey of deep reforms with the aim of bringing efficient, transparent governance and robust economic development to Punjab. He said that we have introduced many people friendly reforms to improve the lives of our citizens. He said that Punjab is making all efforts to mobilize resources for better stability and self-reliance. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that in the last two years alone, the state has recorded impressive growth in key categories of its tax revenue, which is ahead of the national growth rate. He said that Mr. S. T. Revenue increased by 33 percent and excise alone increased by over 50 percent. This has been possible due to the strong administration and honest governance provided by the government from day one.
Dealing with problems and challenges
The Chief Minister said that Punjab’s problems are not new and we have inherited them. Many of these problems have arisen due to wrong political decisions by previous governments days before the polls. After CCL taken in March, 2017 it is Rs. 30,584 crore debt or huge unnecessary subsidies given before 2021 elections. The Chief Minister said that the adverse consequences of these measures are being felt even today as we try to achieve economic strength amid the challenges we inherited. Bhagwant Singh Ma said that the state government is making concerted efforts to create ‘Rangla Punjab’ for which the cooperation of the people of the state is necessary.
He said that Punjab, being a border state, was facing narco-terrorism and cross-border activities, due to which a large number of police forces had to be recruited. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Punjab Police is protecting the unity and integrity of the country by deploying along the more than 500 km international border.
Demand for modernization of police force
The Chief Minister appealed to the Finance Commission to allocate large funds for the modernization of the state police force so that the national duty can be performed efficiently. He also said that the Punjab government has taken the initiative to establish a first-of-its-kind Road Safety Force (SSF) in the state. has played an important role.
The Chief Minister said that the hardworking farmers of the state have produced food grains for the country by making maximum use of the precious natural resources like fertile land and water. He said that as far as groundwater is concerned, almost all the blocks of the state have gone into black zone, due to which Punjab’s water is depleting rapidly. Expressing deep concern over the situation caused by the rapidly receding water level, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that high-powered motors used for oil extraction in Dubai and other Gulf countries are being destroyed in Punjab.
Major contribution of Punjab Agricultural University
The Chief Minister said that the only way to conserve water in the state is to encourage crop diversification. He said that it is a matter of great honor and satisfaction that the Government of India has recently announced a grant of Rs. 17,500 have allowed the proposal for relief. This will prove to be an important step in breaking the crop cycle. He said that Punjab Agricultural University led the green revolution in the country and now the university is headed by world renowned tissue culture experts, who can play a major role in promoting crop diversity. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is assuring to encourage the use of canal water to conserve ground water and Punjab is now using 70 per cent canal water for irrigation as against 30 per cent earlier.
The Chief Minister said that this would save ground water on one hand and electricity on the other, thereby reducing the burden on the government exchequer. He said that big industrial companies like Tata Steel are willing to invest in Punjab because of the investment friendly policies of the state government. Bhagwant Singh Mann regretted that the industrial development of Punjab is being hindered due to tax concessions in the neighboring state, due to which industrial units are shifting to this state.
Punjab emerged strong amidst the difficulties
The Chief Minister said that the state government has introduced many new ideas, including multi-colored stamp paper, which is a big step towards ushering in a new era of industrial revolution in the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab is the first state to issue green stamp papers to entrepreneurs to set up their units, which will give the desired boost to the industrial development of the state. He termed it as a revolutionary step, aimed at creating a conducive business environment for entrepreneurs wishing to set up their units in the state.
The Chief Minister said that Punjab has always emerged stronger than ever in the face of adversity and we will continue this proud tradition. He said that with the support and guidance of the commission, the state government would make the economy of Punjab stronger and more efficient. Bhagwant Singh Mann reiterated that the Punjab government is committed to restoring the ancient glory of the state and no stone will be left unturned for this noble cause.
