Updated 16:57 IST | Thursday, September 02, 2010
Lakhowal urges Punjab govt for budget provisions for productivity bonus
Satinder Bains
Thursday, 18 March 2010
PATIALA: Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, chairman of the Punjab Mandi Board urged Punjab government to make the budget provisions for ‘Productivity Bonus’ in lieu of power bills that is to be paid to farmers during Rabi and Kharif seasons.
Addressing a press conference here on Thursday in the office of Market committee Lakhowal has demanded to implement the recommendations of Sukhbir–Kalia report. He said that Punjab budget did not have any mention of ‘Productivity Bonus’. He said that some farmers’ organizations have been demonstrating for the report implementation.
Notably, the report has suggested that Punjab government would give productivity bonus to the farmers during the procurement of rabi and kharif seasons. The report evolve the formula of ‘Productivity Bonus’ as PSEB will charge Rs 50 per brake horse power (bhp). By charging farmers at the rate of Rs 50 per bhp, though still highly subsidized, the state will now pay only Rs 233 per bhp to the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB), which works out to be 82 per cent. The remaining 18 per cent will come from the farmers, who in turn will be reimbursed by the state in shape of ‘Productivity Bonus’. The details of ‘Productivity Bonus’ has not yet finalized by the Punjab government and hence no budget provisions for it, said an officer of agricultural department. The bonus would be given according to the production of crop and yardstick has to be decided, he added.
Lakhowal said he favoured direct payment to the farmers through cheques of their produce by bringing to an end the present system of mediation of the commission agents.
Adding that the recent notification issued by the state government to continue with the process of the commission agents was not in the interest of the farmers, Lakhowal said that he was hopeful that the Punjab and High Court would annul this notification keeping in view of the farmers' interests.
Regarding the variety of 201 of paddy he however said that farmers should be cautious about it.
gdsahuja@gmail.com
Addressing a press conference here on Thursday in the office of Market committee Lakhowal has demanded to implement the recommendations of Sukhbir–Kalia report. He said that Punjab budget did not have any mention of ‘Productivity Bonus’. He said that some farmers’ organizations have been demonstrating for the report implementation.
Notably, the report has suggested that Punjab government would give productivity bonus to the farmers during the procurement of rabi and kharif seasons. The report evolve the formula of ‘Productivity Bonus’ as PSEB will charge Rs 50 per brake horse power (bhp). By charging farmers at the rate of Rs 50 per bhp, though still highly subsidized, the state will now pay only Rs 233 per bhp to the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB), which works out to be 82 per cent. The remaining 18 per cent will come from the farmers, who in turn will be reimbursed by the state in shape of ‘Productivity Bonus’. The details of ‘Productivity Bonus’ has not yet finalized by the Punjab government and hence no budget provisions for it, said an officer of agricultural department. The bonus would be given according to the production of crop and yardstick has to be decided, he added.
Lakhowal said he favoured direct payment to the farmers through cheques of their produce by bringing to an end the present system of mediation of the commission agents.
Adding that the recent notification issued by the state government to continue with the process of the commission agents was not in the interest of the farmers, Lakhowal said that he was hopeful that the Punjab and High Court would annul this notification keeping in view of the farmers' interests.
Regarding the variety of 201 of paddy he however said that farmers should be cautious about it.
gdsahuja@gmail.com
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Editor: Satinder Bains |
Executive Editor: Pawandeep Sooch |
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