Will try to implement farm debt waiver within a week: Manpreet
SAYS THE STATE GOVERNMENT WILL GO FOR ONETIME SETTLEMENT OF LOAN OF 10 LAKH FARMERS
Punjab finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal has said that the government will try to implement the farm debt waiver within a week. Adding that a meeting with the Haque Panel was scheduled this week, he added that state government would go for one-time settlement of loan. The state government had set up a three-member expert panel to assess the quantum of debt and give suggestions for its waiver. T Haque is heading this panel.
“After the Haque panel provide us data, we will hold a meeting with the State Level Banker’s Committee to go ahead with the debt waiver,” he told reporters during his visit to Bathinda (urban) assembly segment.
“The government has already fixed budget of ₹1,500 crore for this. The government will pay the rest in instalments,” he said.
Appealing to debt-ridden farmers not to commit suicide, he added the debt waiver would benefit about 10 lakh farmers. “We are committed to do all we can, within our resources. Notices will be sent as soon as possible, informing beneficiary farmers that loan up to ₹2 lakh has been waived,” he said.
He said that a special audit of expenditure in 10 years of previous SAD-BJP government on major heads was on. “Action will be taken on the basis of a report, but the government will not indulge in vendetta politics.”
BATHINDA ISBT TO GET BUDGETARY SUPPORT
Work on construction of a new Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) in Bathinda is likely to be delayed by another year with Manpreet saying that the project will be included as part of next year’s state budget.
Union food processing minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal had laid the foundation stone of the project on December 13, 2016, to woo residents ahead of Punjab assembly polls, he claimed.
The foundation stone was laid without the required permission from the military authorities of adjacent cantonment.
“The new air-conditioned bus stand is Bathinda’s need just like other infrastructure requirements. The Congress has just taken charge and the state’s finances are in bad condition. The new ISBT will be constructed, but it will be included in next state budget,” he added.