Finance Minister forms committee to resolve issues raised by Punjab Cotton Growers and Ginner’s Association
Chandigarh, January 2:
The Punjab Government led by the visionary Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stands fully committed to boost industrial sector and cotton industries occupy a significant place in the scheme of things of the State Government.
Reiterating this during a meeting with the representatives of the Punjab Cotton Factories and Ginner’s Association, the Finance Minister Mr. Harpal Singh Cheema said that the Punjab Government aims to adopt an all encompassing approach with regard to bolster industrial sector as it plays an important role in the strengthening of State’s economy.
The representatives submitted that the fixed electricity charges be waived in view of the failure of the cotton crop owing to the late and unseasonal rains and the consequent economic loss the cotton factories had to incur. Besides, their charter of demands also included encouraging the farmers to grow cotton, supply of good quality cotton seeds by the department, permission to install rice mills in the cotton factories’ premises and ensuring supply of cotton from the other States considering the inadequate cotton crop in Punjab.
Other demands that were raised by the association during the meeting includes the waiver of market fees and RDF on cotton purchased from other states for two years, making provision in the budget to install underground pipes for drainage of water in water logged districts and ensuring availability of canal water during the sowing season in April.
Giving a sympathetic hearing to the demands, the Minister directed the officers to submit a detailed report in this regard apart from constituting a committee with the inclusion of one MLA of the affected districts, 2 members from the industry and the officers of the concerned departments.
