DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday sought a special industrial package for the state's six districts that share borders with Pakistan and also demanded a cash incentive for maize cultivation to replace the water-guzzling paddy crop. At the meeting of the 10th governing council of the NITI Aayog in Delhi, Mann affirmed Punjab's full alignment with the vision of 'Viksit Bharat @2047', and said that his government is committed to build a 'Rangla Punjab' -- a vibrant, inclusive, and progressive state, according to an official statement.

'Punjab Vision 2047' launched in 2023 aligns with 'Viksit Bharat' goals with an ambitious target of eight per cent plus annual GDP growth through industrial and service-led development, Mann said, adding that structural reforms are underway to boost business environment along with infrastructure and innovation.

"We reaffirm Punjab's dedication to cooperative federalism and to building a Viksit Bharat by 2047 through mutual collaboration" he added.

To develop Punjab as an industrial hub in the country, the state government has strengthened the unified regulator model under 'Invest Punjab', said Mann.

Opposing unilateral borrowing limit deductions under Article 293, Mann urged inclusion of cess, surcharges and select non-tax revenue in the Centre's divisible pool, adding he proposed increasing vertical devolution to 50 per cent.

Seeking a special industrial package for border districts, he said industries in these districts are disadvantaged due to proximity to Pakistan.

Seeking parity with Jammu and Kashmir incentives for industries, Mann sought PLI (production linked incentive) scheme, freight subsidy, tax relief, agro-zones and others for the state.

The chief minister also asked for infrastructure grants for border resilience so as to ensure comprehensive development of six border districts -- Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Fazilka and Pathankot.

He said border areas lack support despite high risk and only 101 villages covered under the Vibrant Village scheme. Mann also demanded special grants for trauma centres, bunkers, cyber security and resilient infrastructure.

Seeking upward revision of compensation to farmers having land between fence and border, Mann requested that it should be increased to Rs 30,000 per acre per year against the current compensation of Rs 10,000 per acre.

Pleading for restoration and increase in daily allowance of border wing home guards, he said it is imperative for strengthening the second line of defence in border areas.

Mann said earlier, this reimbursement was made by the government of India but was discontinued from financial year 2020-21.

Seeking a grant of Rs 2,829 crore for the state, Mann said it is necessary to check drug trafficking and upscale border security.

He said these funds will be utilised for upgrading infrastructure, jail security, de-addiction and others.

Citing that over 53,000 arrests have been made and 3,579 kg of heroin has been seized so far in anti-drug operations, Mann urged the Union government to install 50 additional jamming systems to counter drones on the 553 km border along with the state.

He further said in order to revitalize Punjab's economy, it is proposed to develop an economic corridor along the Delhi-Katra Expressway which will pass through Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Gurdaspur, Patiala, Sangrur, and

Malerkotla in Punjab. 

(editor@dailyworld.in)