North News
Chandigarh, July 22
Making a strong case based on financial prudence and facts, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann today sought a special package worth Rs 1,32, 247 crore from the Finance Commission to give impetus to the development of the state. He said that this funds include development funds worth Rs 75,000 crore, Rs 17,950 crore for agriculture and paddy diversification, Rs 5025 crore for stubble burning, Rs 8846 crore for tackling narco-terrorism and drug abuse besides Rs 6000 crore for Industry Revitalization. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that apart from it Rs 9426 crore should be given for Urban Local Bodies and Rs 10,000 crore for Rural Local Bodies.
The Chief Minister, while welcoming the Commission including Chairman Dr Arvind Panagariya, Members Ajay Narayan Jha, Annie George Mathew, Dr Manoj Panda and Dr Soumyakanti Ghosh besides Secretary Ritvik Pandey, said that due to immense contribution of Punjab in making country self sufficient in food production, obtaining and preserving independence, the state should be given a special economic package. He said that Punjabis have already carved a niche for themselves in every country across the globe and the package will further give impetus to economic growth of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann expressed hope that the Finance Commission will give a sympathetic view to the genuine demands of the state government and generously allot funds to Punjab.
The Chief Minister welcomed the Financial Commission to the land of great Gurus, saints, seers and the martyrs. He said that Punjab is known as the food bowl of the country as the hard working farmers of the state had contributed immensely in making the country self-reliant in food production. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that being the sword arm of the country the state has made maximum sacrifices during the freedom struggle of the country and now to defend the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the country in the post-independence period.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has embarked on a journey of profound reforms aimed at bringing efficiency, transparent governance, and robust economic growth to Punjab. He said that the state government has undertaken a slew of pro-people reforms designed to improve the lives of our citizens. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that with improved sustainability and self-sufficiency, the state has been doing everything in its power to mobilize resources.
The Chief Minister said that in the last two years alone, the major heads of State’s Own Tax Revenue have witnessed impressive growth by surpassing national growth rates. He said that GST revenue has gone up by 33 percent and Excise alone has gone up by more than 50 percent. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this has been possible with robust administration and honest governance, which the state government has provided from day one.
The Chief Minister said that the state Government is also reviewing various expenditure items and looking at rationalising unproductive expenditure. He said that through solarization, the state government intends to rationalize power subsidies in the long-term and improve the reliability of our power infrastructure. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab’s problems are not new and have a legacy nature adding that many of these problems came into existence due to ill-advised political decisions of previous Governments just before the election days.
Citing examples the Chief Minister said that CCL Loan of Rs 30,584 Crore that was taken in March, 2017 or substantial untargeted subsidies given right before elections in 2021 has ruptured the state’s economy. He said that the repercussions of these actions are still being felt today, as we strive to achieve financial consolidation amidst these inherited challenges. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is making concerted efforts for carving out Rangla Punjab for which support of the people of state is must.
