Capt urges Modi to redress farmers’ grievances urgently
Expresses concerns over threat to Punjab’s agriculture sector as a result of disruptions caused by the three new farm laws
CHANDIGARH Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure urgent resolution to the ongoing farmers’ “unrest”, and an early release of the state’s pending GST compensation. In his prerecorded address for the sixth Governing Council virtual meeting of Niti Aayog, the CM also proposed that states are consulted before deciding the priority list for Covid-19 vaccination.
Captain Amarinder could not attend the virtual meeting as he was indisposed.
The CM reiterated his government’s stand that agriculture is a state subject and lawmaking on it should be left to the states in the true spirit of “cooperative federalism” in the Constitution. In this context, he pointed to the state amendments passed to the central legislation by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha in October 2020.
The CM said any reform that is sought to be introduced in a sector subsuming almost 60% of the country’s workforce must be done only through a process of extensive consultation with all stakeholders, of which Punjab is key, being at the forefront of ensuring food security.
Citing fears among farmers of the state that the minimum support price-based procurement regime through Food Corporation of India (or agencies on its behalf), introduced as part of food security measures in the 1960s, may be discontinued in view of the Shanta Kumar Committee Report of 2015, the chief
minister urged the Government if India to decisively dispel any such impression “to instil proper confidence in the farmers of the state”.
The chief minister reiterated the state government’s demand for bonus of Rs 100 per quintal of paddy procured as straw management compensation, which can be used for purchase or rental of new equipment, attaining skills for efficient use, and to reduce cost of operation and maintenance. He requested the GoI to provide Rs 5 crore per MW financial support for biomass power projects and Rs 3.5 crore per MW for biomass solar hybrid projects to the state as viability gap fund (VGF) to help alleviate the effects of paddy straw burning through ex-situ utilisation of paddy straw with good returns to farmers.
CM: Consult states in allotting Covid vaccine
The CM also urged the Centre to consult the state before fixing priorities for Covid vaccination, as it is a matter involving the entire population.
The CM also requested the Centre to allow 100% use of available SDRF towards expenditure for Covid Management, instead of the present ceiling of 50%. Further, in the event of SDRF yearly budget being exceeded due to enhanced expenditure on COVID related matters, the State may also be allowed to utilize previous years available funds, he suggested.
Amarinder also urged the Centre to provide immediate financial assistance of at least Rs 300 crore to upgrade health infrastructure, equipment and other healthcare needs (medicines and consumables etc.) in view of the pandemic.
Seeks early release of pending GST compensation
He urged the Union government to release the pending amount of GST compensation to the state, amounting to Rs 8,253 crore for the period April 2020 to January 2021.
Amarinder reiterated the state’s demand for releasing the GST compensation on monthly basis in the coming fiscal year, and sought extension in the period of GST Compensation beyond the current 5 years for States like Punjab, which have permanently lost a significant portion of their revenue especially on account of subsuming of Purchase Tax on food grains and are staring at a huge revenue shortfall after the end of compensation period.