Punjab seeks central assistance to strengthen security in areas adjoining Pakistan

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Chandigarh, Dec 22 (IANS) Punjab raised a demand for central assistance to strengthen its police infrastructure and security efforts in districts bordering Pakistan, with a grant of Rs 1,000 crore, an official statement said on Sunday.

Industrial incentives similar to those provided to Jammu and Kashmir and neighbouring hill states were also sought to support MSMEs in Punjab’s border and sub-mountainous regions, during the pre-budget meeting held in Jaisalmer in Rajasthan with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

State Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the state has raised the demand to restore NABARD’s Short-Term Seasonal Agricultural Operations (ST-SAO) limit to Rs 3,041 crore, from the reduced limit of Rs 1,100 crore for FY 2024-25.

He said this restoration is vital to prevent farmers from turning to moneylenders. Several states raised this issue and it was discussed at length, he said.

For road connectivity under PM Gati Shakti, the state has requested Rs 100 crore to construct a 5.6-km, 45-m wide approach road connecting the National Highway 44 to the Integrated Manufacturing Cluster (IMC) in Rajpura. This funding is essential for the timely completion of road construction and the successful implementation of the industrial cluster.

Expressing gratitude for the Vande Bharat train connecting Amritsar with New Delhi, the state government requested another Vande Bharat train to connect Bathinda, the state’s agricultural and commercial hub, with the national capital. This would ensure seamless connectivity for the Malwa region of Punjab.

The minister also proposed financial support to address crop residue management in Punjab. He said despite providing 1.45 lakh crop residue management (CRM) machines since 2018, high operational costs remain a challenge.

The state government has proposed an incentive of Rs 2,500 per acre, with Rs 2,000 per acre from the Centre and Rs 500 per acre from the state. The total cost of this initiative is estimated at Rs 2,000 crore, with the Centre requested to provide Rs 1,600 crore as budgetary support.

Expressing gratitude to Union Finance Minister Sitharaman for providing Punjab with the opportunity to present its suggestions, Cheema said Punjab’s demand for an incentive package to address the unique challenges faced by the state, particularly due to its proximity to a hostile border with Pakistan, is crucial to bolster the state’s infrastructure and security measures.

He hoped that the upcoming Union Budget would act as a catalyst for fostering citizen welfare, driving regional development, and spurring economic growth.

–IANS

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Maha Assembly adjourned for 10 minutes amid war of words, slogans by members

Nagpur, Dec 20 (IANS) Amid a war of words and slogans, the state Assembly on Friday was adjourned for 10 minutes over the display of posters of B. R. Ambedkar by Congress legislators Vijay Wadettiwar and Nana Patole on their desks. BJP ministers Girish Mahajan and Chandrakant Patil, along with legislators Yogesh Sagar, Prashant Thakur, Randhir Sawarkar and others took strong objection, urging Speaker Rahul Narwekar to direct them to remove the posters. They added that if Congress members continue to keep posters on their desks, they should also be allowed to put up similar posters.

BJP legislators raised slogans like “Emergency lavnarya Congress cha dhikkar aso, Babasahebancha apaman karnarya Congress cha dhikkar aso, Dhongi Congress cha dhikkar aso (Condemn Congress for insulting B. R. Ambedkar, also condemn Congress for imposing the Emergency). This prompted the Opposition to hit back and raise slogans like Jai Bhim Jai Bhim, Ambedkar Ambedkar. Amid slogan shouting, the Speaker repeatedly asked the members to maintain decorum and follow house protocol. Notwithstanding the Speaker’s call, members from both sides went on raising slogans leading to acrimonious schemes in the house.

In the mean time, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar stood up and said that Ambedkar is ideal for them and everybody and therefore, the ruling party members should be allowed to display the posters as done by the Congress legislators.

The Speaker said that as per the rules, such posters are not allowed to be displayed in the House. Patole, who stood up to raise the point of procedure, assured that they will remove the posters after he completed his statement. However, the Speaker disallowed Patole saying that the issue he was raising did not come under the point of procedural norms. The Shiv Sena minister Gukabrao Patil said that if Patole will continue to speak then he and other members of the treasury bench should also be given an opportunity to air their views.

As the slogan shouting continued the Speaker at 11.14 a.m. adjourned the House for 10 minutes.

After the House was adjourned, the ruling and Opposition members continued raising slogans. The ruling party members brought a lot of posters of Ambedkar and displayed them on their desks. Some posters had photos of Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi condemning the Congress for not awarding the Bharat Ratna to Ambedkar and also for his poll defeats twice.

After the house reassembled at 11.25 a.m., the Speaker said that he would proceed to take up the day’s business if the members did not want to adhere to his appeal to remove the posters. The ruling and Opposition did not remove the posters. Then the Speaker announced the next subject on the agenda asking them to raise the point of propriety.

Earlier, the Speaker announced that he had rejected all adjournment motions moved by several members in his chamber. After that, Wadettiwar tried to draw the Speaker’s attention regarding the attack on the Mumbai Congress office allegedly by BJP workers on Thursday. The moment Wadettiwar started his argument, ruling party members raised slogans.

Meanwhile, BJP minister Chandrakant Patil, accompanied by party legislators on the steps of the state Assembly, raised slogans targeting the Congress party. That was followed by Congress, Shiv Sena and NCP legislators raising slogans to protest against the hooliganism and mob attack allegedly by the MahaYuti workers.

–IANS

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Assam CM holds meeting with Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck

Guwahati, Dec 17 (IANS) At the invitation of the Royal Government of Bhutan, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is undertaking a four-day official visit to the kingdom, met Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on Tuesday and discussed on strengthening the historical ties between Assam and Bhutan and advancing collaborative efforts between the two regions.

The discussion also focussed on fostering Bhutan’s development, enhancing the welfare of its people, and promoting broader regional economic development.

Sarma in another meeting held over lunch with Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Togbay also discussed issues addressing matters of mutual interest and exploring avenues to fortify trade partnerships between the two regions.

He noted that Assam and Bhutan have historically maintained connectivity through seven established trade routes, underscoring the enduring nature of their economic ties.

In the course of their discussions, the Chief Minister assured the Bhutanese leadership of the Assam Government’s steadfast commitment and cooperation to bolstering trade infrastructure along the Assam-Bhutan border.

He emphasised the creation of additional trade routes to facilitate trade and commerce in line with the needs of Bhutanese traders.

The Chief Minister also highlighted Assam’s efforts under the Asom Mala initiative to strengthen road connectivity, particularly between Kokrajhar and Gelephu.

In a moment of historical and cultural significance, the Chief Minister, accompanied by his wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, attended the 117th National Day celebrations of Bhutan today.

The festivities, held at the picturesque and scenic Changlimithang Grounds in Thimphu, left an indelible impression on Sarma, who described the experience as uniquely moving.

The Chief Minister conveyed his appreciation and joy at being present at the splendid and enchanting setting of Bhutan’s National Day celebrations. As a part of the celebrations, the Royal Government of Bhutan extended a warm and heartfelt welcome to both Sarma and his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma.

Bhutan’s National Day commemorates the coronation of the country’s first king, Ugyen Wangchuck, in 1907. This historic event marked the beginning of the Wangchuck dynasty, which has ruled Bhutan ever since. The celebrations provide an opportunity to honour Bhutan’s cultural heritage, reflect on the sacrifices of its forefathers, and reaffirm the citizens’ devotion to the country’s enduring peace, prosperity, and happiness.

–IANS

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