Punjab failed to take benefit of food processing schemes: Minister
CHANDIGARH : Union minister for food processing industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal claimed that the Punjab government had failed to ‘properly publicise’ the schemes of her ministry. She added that due to this, despite the agrarian economy, the state had failed to make best use of the schemes.
“Of 106 food parks that the ministry sanctioned across the country, Punjab could get four. Even of these, not all are functional because a park in Ladowal is waiting power connection,” she said, talking to mediapersons in Chandigarh on the completion of 100 days of second term of Narendra Modi government at the centre.
The four parks would fetch investment of ₹12,000 crore for the state, she said, adding that five states — Maharashtra, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Uttarakhand — are doing the best and have been making best use of the opportunities given by her ministry. “Punjab has a huge scope for food processing, but the issue needs attention,” she added.
On the state government’s insurance scheme, ‘Ayushman Bharat Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana’, the minister claimed that it was just the scheme, Ayushman Bharat Bima Yojana, that the Centre had launched. “It is to be seen how the state scheme benefits people,” she claimed.
She inaugurated a photo exhibition on ‘Furthering India’s Development —100 days of bold Initiatives and decisive actions’ and released a booklet ‘Jan Connect’.
She added that the government was taking steps towards achieving the vision of making India a $5 trillion economy; large scale investment in infrastructure and social sector; ease of Doing Business; reduction of physical interference and transparency in GST and IT return filing process; Jal Shakti Abhiyaan; Har Ghar Bijli Yojna; Ujjwala scheme and providing electricity in around 18,000 villages.