Chandigarh, July 22 2024 : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann made a compelling plea on Monday to the 16th Finance Commission visiting the state, advocating for a special economic package to bolster Punjab’s overall development.
Welcoming the Commission led by Chairman Dr. Arvind Panagariya and including members Ajay Narayan Jha, Annie George Mathew, Dr. Manoj Panda, Dr. Soumyakanti Ghosh, and Secretary Ritvik Pandey, Chief Minister Mann emphasized Punjab’s significant contributions to India’s self-reliance in food production and its historic sacrifices during both pre and post-independence eras. He underscored the need for a special package to further elevate the state’s economic growth.
Mann urged the Finance Commission to consider a financial allocation of Rs 1,32,247 crore, aimed at various sectors crucial for Punjab’s development. This includes substantial funds for agriculture and paddy diversification, addressing stubble burning, combating narco-terrorism, revitalizing industry, and bolstering urban and rural local bodies.
Highlighting Punjab’s challenges, Mann stressed the state’s border location and its consequential issues such as narco-terrorism and intense border activities, necessitating significant police force deployment. He urged the Commission to allocate funds for modernizing the state police force to effectively safeguard national security.
Furthermore, Mann outlined Punjab’s efforts towards sustainable development, citing recent growth in state-owned tax revenues and improvements in governance efficiencies. He emphasized the state’s commitment to rationalizing expenditures and enhancing power infrastructure through solar initiatives.
Regarding environmental concerns, Mann expressed alarm over the depleting groundwater levels in Punjab due to excessive agricultural usage, advocating for crop diversification as a crucial solution supported by recent policy incentives. He also lauded Punjab’s industrial potential but highlighted challenges such as tax holidays in neighboring states hindering local industrial growth.
Innovative measures introduced by the Punjab government, including color-coded stamp papers to facilitate industrial setups, were highlighted by Mann as steps towards promoting ease of doing business and attracting investments.
Mann concluded by calling on the Finance Commission to recognize Punjab’s unique challenges and extend necessary support to propel the state towards sustainable development and prosperity. He reaffirmed Punjab’s resilience in overcoming adversity and expressed confidence in achieving economic revitalization with the Commission’s support.
The Finance Commission’s deliberations with Punjab officials come amidst efforts to address the state’s financial consolidation and foster inclusive growth across all sectors.
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