Punjab Chief Minister Seeks Central Support for Border Districts' Development

Strategic Insights -

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has emphasized the need for the central government to extend support to the state's border districts, which he claims have been adversely impacted by special central incentives provided to Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir. The CM sought a special incentive package for the border districts, including the establishment of agro-food processing zones, upgrade of existing focal points, and the creation of exhibition-cum-convention centres. Mann also requested the upgradation of the Border Wing Home Guards Scheme to cover all 2,107 border villages, enhancement of duty allowances for BSF jawans, and funding for the upgradation of infrastructure and equipment, including jammers to check the smuggling of weapons and drugs through drones.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Punjab Chief Minister, Bhagwant Singh Mann, has urged the central government to provide support to the state's border districts, which have been adversely impacted by special central incentives given to Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir.
  • Mann has requested a special incentive package for the border districts, including the establishment of agro-food processing zones, upgrade of existing focal points, and the creation of exhibition-cum-convention centres.
  • The CM has also sought the upgradation of the Border Wing Home Guards Scheme to cover all 2,107 border villages, enhancement of duty allowances for BSF jawans, and funding for the upgradation of infrastructure and equipment, including jammers to check the smuggling of weapons and drugs through drones.
  • Mann has emphasized the need for the central government to provide a freight subsidy for Punjab, a landlocked state, and introduce a scheme along the lines of the Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) scheme for small manufacturers.
  • The CM has also sought extension of the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to bicycles, e-bikes, and their components, and the development of Sports Goods Export Zones in Jalandhar.
  • Mann has demanded a special economic package for the state, including Rs. 2,000 crore for a Special Economic Zone, development of Industrial Corridors (Global Manufacturing Hub), and expansion of Software Technology Parks (STPI) in Mohali.
  • The CM has also solicited the support of the Centre to promote crop diversification, by encouraging alternative crops to paddy that consume less water, and has asked the Centre to support his government's pilot project to promote the kharif maize initiative.

Statistics:

  • Punjab has 553 kilometres of the International Border with Pakistan.
  • There are six border districts of Amritsar, Tarn-Taran, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Ferozepur, and Fazilka.
  • The current share of the Manufacturing sector in the state's economy is 14.4 per cent.
  • The state government intends to escalate it to 20 per cent by 2030 and 25 per cent by 2047.
  • The present compensation to farmers having land between the International Border and the border fence is Rs. 10,000 per acre per year.
  • The CM has requested the Centre to enhance the compensation to Rs. 30,000 per acre annually.

Sources:

  • IE Online Media Services Pvt. Ltd.
  • Contify.com