Badal envisions Punjab as frontrunner state in white and blue revolution

SRI MUKTSAR SAHIB, JAN 12

   Recalling the immense contribution of the Punjabi farmers in transforming India from a food deficit to food surplus country, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today envisioned that due to the hard work and dedication of farmers the state would soon emerge as frontrunner in ‘White and Blue’ revolution also.   

Addressing the gathering on the concluding day of Livestock Expo and National Championship here today, the Chief Minister said that the hard working and resilient farmers of the state had scripted a new chapter in the history of nation by making it self-reliant in food production through the ‘Green Revolution’ in 1960s. However, he said that in this great service of the nation the farmers of the state had even sacrificed the only available natural resources of the state in term of fertile soil and water. But, Mr. Badal bemoaned that today with the squeezing margins of profit agriculture was no longer a profitable preposition due to which farmers were facing a lot of problem for their basic subsistence.

          In such a dismal scenario, the Chief Minister said that the only silver lining for the farmers was the allied farming sector, which was having a huge potential in the state. He said that in order to emerge out of the current agrarian crisis, the Punjabi farmers must take the initiative of opting for the allied farming activities like Dairy farming, piggery, apiary, goatery and others. “This will bail out the farmers from the crisis by supplementing their income” added Mr. Badal.

          Listing the initiatives taken by the state to promote allied farming sector under its flagship program of crop diversification, the Chief Minister said that the farmers have given positive response to this program by evincing keen interest in Livestock sector. He also said that it was a matter of great pride and honor for them that Punjab has emerged as number one state in pisciculture amongst the non-coastal states of the country. Mr. Badal said that to further promote Fishery in the state he had recently visited China along with a delegation of the progressive fish farmers to get acquainted about their expertise in the fishing sector adding that to encourage the farmers for adopting fish farming the state government was giving 100% subsidy for setting up fish farms in water logged areas and 50% subsidy in other parts of the state.

          Likewise, the Chief Minister said that to popularize Dairy farming in the state 50% subsidy was being given to the women dairy farmers. Mr. Badal called upon the farmers to adopt apiary, piggery and goatery as there was tremendous scope in these sectors. He said that the state government has set up boards for encouraging the farmers towards these sectors.

          Expressing gratitude to the farmers of nine states who have came all the way to attend 64 championships in the expo, the Chief Minister announced that from the next year this event would be organized at much bigger scale. He said that this would enable the farmers to update themselves about the emerging technologies in the field of agriculture and livestock sector. Meanwhile, Mr. Badal announced to honor Mr. Daljit Singh Sadarpura, the proud owner of HF cow which has created national record by giving 61.800 kilograms of milk, in the state level Republic Day function.  

          In his address the Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that as due to the stupendous efforts of the state government mother game of Punjabis-Kabaddi has carved a niche for itself in the international sports arena in the same manner this expo has also attracted the farmers from both within the country and abroad. He said that the fact that farmers from nine states have participated in this mega event speak volumes of success of this expo. Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal also suggested the Cabinet Minster Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike to launch a website having important information regarding the prize winners of this expo so that the farmers could be immensely benefitted from it. He also said that a directory must be published about these farmers.

          On the occasion Deputy Chief Minister also distributed prizes to the winners. 

 Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Cabinet Minister Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike, MLA Mr. Harpreet Singh, Chairman Punjab Agro Foodgrains Corporation Jathedar Dyal Singh Kolianwali, President Youth Akali Dal Malwa Zone Mr. Kanwarjeet Singh Rozy Barkandi, Chairman Mr. Tejinder Singh Middukhera, Chairman PUNCOFED Mr. Kulwinder Singh Bhai Ka Kera, former MLAs Mr. Sant Singh Brar and Mr. Sukhdarshan Singh Mrar, Financial Commissioner Animal Husbandry Mr. Mandeep Singh Sandhu and Deputy Commissioner Mr. Jaskiran Singh.

Badal exhorts NRIs to make huge investments in Punjab

GANDHINAGAR (GUJARAT), JAN 9

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today called upon the NRIs especially the Punjabi diaspora to make huge investments in the state as the Punjab Government has already   taken out- of- the- box initiatives to ensure hassle free and entrepreneur friendly climate.

Addressing the NRI brethren at Gandinagar on the three-day Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, the Chief Minister lauded the enormous contribution and vision of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, who created an ambience of investment in the country with the path breaking steps to make India as the best investment destination. He said that it was a matter of great pride for us that all the NRIs irrespective of caste, color, creed and their geographical location have proved their mettle in every aspect of life by the grace and blessings of Almighty. Probably, we Indians in general and Punjabis in particular are the only community in the world which can undertake any daunting task by the dint of their hard work, sincerity and commitment, added Mr. Badal.

Recalling the socio-cultural ties of NRIs with India-the soil of their origin, the Chief Minister said that this platform was not merely restricted to wooing them for making investment here rather it was obligatory on their part to contribute in the overall development and prosperity as they had emotional ties with their motherland. Mr. Badal said that he personally feels that NRI brethren must contribute enormously in the promotion of education and healthcare services besides strengthening economic and social ties, which was all the more important for our future generations, who were gradually being detached from their roots.

Laying a red carpet for the NRI brethren to invest in Punjab, Mr. Badal said that the state government has taken several path-breaking initiatives for the sons of the soil who have migrated to other countries. He said that to help NRIs in getting their urban properties evicted in an easy and quick manner amendments have been made in Punjab Urban Rent Control Act for eviction of multiple properties for multiple times. Likewise, Mr. Badal said that for saving Punjabi youth from migration related frauds and harassment, the Prevention of Human Trafficking/Smuggling Act has been enacted.

The Chief Minister also said that to safeguard NRI’s and daughters of Punjab from marriage related frauds, the compulsory Marriage Registration Act has been enacted. Similarly he said that for facilitating and expediting the registration of NRI marriages the power of marriage registration has been given to DCs, District Revenue Officers, Tehsildars and Naib Tehsildars. In the same manner, Mr. Badal said that to facilitate quick disposal of embossing of Power of Attorney made by NRIs, the powers for stamping/embossing of power of attorneys has been given to Deputy Commissioners for properties falling under that district; to Divisional Commissioners for properties falling within that division and to Financial Commissioner Revenue for properties falling under more than one division.

Listing some other path breaking initiatives, the Chief Minister said that for ensuring strong bond with the motherland, Punjab has given 10% reservation for NRIs in allocation of residential and industrial plots. To recognize NRI status of Punjabi NRI’s and to provide them various facilities like discount/ reservation etc. at various shops, Malls,   Hospitals, Schools, Jewelry Shops etc. a scheme of issuing NRI Privilege Card has been started.

Likewise, he said that for ensuring protection against undue harassment, Punjab Government has put a check on registration of unwanted FIRs Against NRIs by making it mandatory for SHOs to first get approval from DSP Or Superior Officer. He said that the state government was working on legal measures to be taken including coordinated efforts from concerned departments to help the legal conclusion of cases related to proclaimed offenders. Likewise, Mr. Badal said that 15 NRI Police stations have been set up across the state to exclusively deal with the matters related to these sons of the soil. 

The Chief Minister also said that NRI property watch scheme initiated by Punjab Police adding that Special Civil Court for NRIs has been made functional at Jalandhar and efforts were also being made to set up similar courts in other districts.  He said that for appointment of Honorary NRI Nambardars, rules have been amended and 38 Nambardars have already been appointed. For the first time, NRI Journalists have been given Accreditation facility and also benefits of Free Accidental Insurance cover adding that a new policy to give advertisements to NRI media has been framed. “As a single window system, a website cum grievance redressal system has been started by the state government” he added.

Earnestly appealing the NRI brethren to play a far more constructive role in the overall development and prosperity of their homeland, the Chief Minister said that the state government has set up first of its kind Punjab Bureau of Investment Promotion (PBIP) headed by the CM and Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal as its co-chairman to facilitate investment and create industrial friendly ambience in the state. He said that the state government has envisioned Punjab to emerge as the most favoured investment destination not only in the country but across the globe also. Mr. Badal informed the gathering that Punjab was the first state to move from Single Window System to One Stop Clearance Regime in which a single officer was empowered to give clearances for all concerned departments due to which the business proposals were processed without any delays or hassles. 

The Chief Minister said that when Punjabis set their minds on something, they go beyond all limits to achieve that and now Punjabis have destined to emerge as a leading state on the industrial map of the country. He said that Punjab was the easiest place to do business, has robust infrastructure and abundant skills and enterprise, responsive and above all accountable& transparent governance. I was eagerly looking forward for a day when the majority of NRI, especially the youth settled abroad voluntary chose to make India especially Punjab as their abode of dreams and for this our government is fully committed to cherish their aspirations for making their living as comfortable and pleasant as abroad, he added.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by Cabinet Minister Jathedar Tota Singh, Principal Secretary NRI Affairs Mr. Sanjay Kumar and NRI Commissioner Mr. B Purusartha.

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