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Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005

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Free power for Punjab farmers

Staff Correspondent

Announcement on August 15; modalities to implement the decision being worked out

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday said that free power to small and marginal farmers in the State would be announced on August 15 this year. The modalities to implement this decision were being worked out and would soon be referred to the Council of Ministers for final approval.

Capt. Singh made the disclosure while interacting with reporters after he inaugurated a hi-tech IT-enabled Press Room at the Punjab Civil Secretariat as part of the renovation of the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).

Meanwhile, sources indicated that the State Government was contemplating providing free power to farmers whose land holdings ranged up to seven acres. Agricultural experts have been of the opinion that farms below five acres had become economically unviable. On the other hand, 84 per cent of the holdings across the State are below five acres.

The Punjab Mandi Board would compensate the losses incurred by the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) on account of this concession. During the last fiscal, the Mandi board collected an additional Rs 350 crore through the levy of market fees and sale of vegetables in the "Apni Mandis'' where farmers sell their produce directly to the consumers.

It is noteworthy that while the state government, plans to fulfil its poll promise made in the 2002 Assembly elections' manifesto, it would go against the position articulated by the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, who has opposed all such subsidies. However, the Punjab Government's decision would fall in line with the CPI (M) General Secretary, Parkash Karat, who had favoured a graded policy in those states where such concessions had been granted. Owing to financial constraints, Capt Singh's government had withdrawn this facility, which was granted by the preceding Akali-BJP regime.

Replying to a question regarding the abolition of octroi, Capt. Singh said that the State Government was working out a viable proposal to fulfil its election manifesto commitment.

Earlier speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the newly renovated press room, which was equipped with all the modern facilities would provide a congenial atmosphere to the media men to discharge their duties more efficiently and efficaciously. He said that the State Government had already chalked out a programme to renovate the rest of floors in the Punjab Civil Secretariat in a phased manner.

Renovation plan

The Chief Minister also said that both blocks of Punjab Bhawan as well as the dilapidated residential complex for Punjab government employees in the Nabha house at New Delhi would also be suitably renovated.

Capt. Singh said that his recent visit to Hyderabad and Chennai had been fruitful as seven eminent IT houses had evinced keen interest to set up their ventures in Mohali and other parts of Punjab, while another 8 to 10 companies were in the advanced stage of negotiations with the Government to make foray in Punjab.

Flood damage

Referring to the recent flash floods in Sangrur and Mansa districts, Capt. Singh said that the state government was fully seized of the situation and would soon order the girdawari to assess the damage caused to the standing crops, property and human life, once the water level receded.

Prominent among those were present on the occasion included Rural Development & Panchayat Minister, Lal Singh, Advisor to Chief Minister, B.I.S. Chahal.

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