MLAS’ REPORT: QUICK FIX AND LARGER PICTURE

Here are key points as well as quick remedies made by the Vidhan Sabha panel to improve the farm sector scenario for now and in the longer run

HAVE A POLICY: On pattern of industrial policy, Punjab should have agriculture policy framed in consultation with farm organisations. PAU should be provided more funds for research, and new clusters of villages should be formed to expose farmers to new techniques. The committee further advised to make smaller focal points where farmers can sell their produce at nearest possible places.

FIX MSP ON OWN: State government should fix minimum support price (MSP) for those crops for which the Centre has not, said the report. The MSP should be linked with inflation, farm inputs and savings of the farmer, the report recommended, adding that government should also provide subsidised seeds and pesticides. It also called for exempting seeds, pesticides and farm equipment from GST.

ON TRACTORS AND WEDDINGS: Pointing out that buying of tractors and installation of tubewells by small and

marginal farmers too is one of the biggest reasons behind increase in debt, report recommended the government urge farmers to opt for sharing. For those who have land less than 5 acres, government should sanction tubewells by making a group, it said. It also recommended a law to control expenditure on marriages by fixing number of guests and dishes.

MANAGING DEBT: Debt settlement and reconciliation commission to deal with disputes over loans; co-operative bank branch in each village; fixed interest rate on loans from private lenders; fixed interest on buying tractors and other equipment (5%); private banks should not fix loan limit as per land but look at other payback means too.

MNREGA UMBRELLA: For farm labourers, the panel has recommended provision of 150 days of employment under the MNREGA, and provision of affordable educational facilities and health care.