Chandigarh: The 16th Finance Commission has held a meeting with Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann. In the meeting, the CM took many issues in Punjab seriously. Issues of crop diversification, falling groundwater levels, and industry were discussed. It was also considered that farmers should show interest in cultivating other crops instead of paddy cultivation. On this occasion, the Punjab government has sought a package of Rs 132347 crore.
However, earlier, the Punjab government had made a big decision regarding crop diversification. The government had decided that farmers cultivating other crops instead of paddy cultivation would be given financial assistance by the government. The commission is visiting various states of the country. Earlier, the commission visited Himachal Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
On this occasion, the government has demanded a Rs 7500 crore development fund, Rs 17950 crore for agriculture and crop diversification, Rs 5025 crore to stop stubble burning, and Rs 8846 crore to deal with narco-terrorism. Apart from this, Rs 6,000 crore for industries, Rs 9426 crore for local units, and Rs 10,000 crore for rural development units have been demanded.
A letter has been written by Mohali Municipal Corporation to the Finance Commission, which is on a visit to Punjab. Corporation Deputy Mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi has written a letter to the Commission and has sought a grant of Rs 100 crore so that Mohali can be properly developed. He said that the Commission should consider this demand.
The 16th Finance Commission is on a visit to Punjab until the 24th. The commission reached Punjab yesterday evening. The commission was welcomed at Mohali Airport. Many ministers, including Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, were present on this occasion. This visit is considered to be very important. Because, based on the report of this commission, taxes and other things are given to the states from the centre. Punjab got Rs 25968 crore from the 15th Finance Commission.