Badal gives nod to slash cess on the CADA Fund from 0.25% to 0.10%

Rice millers & exporters’ association agrees to run 25 bedded drug de-addiction center at Amritsar

Chandigarh, June 18, 2014: Conceding the major demand of the Punjab Rice Millers’ and Exporters’ Association, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today announced to slash the cess levied on the purchase of basmati from 0.25% to 0.10% on account of dedicated fund for cancer and drug de-addiction treatment (CADA fund) with minimum annual contribution of Rs.50 crore. 

A decision to this effect was taken by the Chief Minister in a meeting with the delegation of the Rice Millers and Exporters Association led by its President Arvinder Pal Singh here at CMO this morning. 

Expressing gratitude to the Chief Minister for accepting their long pending demand, the delegation assured Badal that in case during a particular season the total amount of cess levied on the purchase of basmati fell short of Rs.50 crore, then the deficit would be voluntarily borne by the association as per their commitment.

Responding to another demand to wave the condition of 200 meter of mix land use along both sides of the Amritsar-Tarn Taran road, the Chief Minister asked the Punjab Urban Development Authority to get this issue sympathetically examined before taking a final decision so that the investment in the rice Sheller industry should not hampered. 

On the pursuance of the Chief Minister, the delegation agreed to run a 25 bedded drug de-addiction center by their association in the building allotted by the State government in Amritsar. They also agreed to bear the entire cost of medicine, logistics besides hiring manpower including the requisite doctors and psychiatrists as per the norms prescribed by the Health department. 

Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting including Principal Secretary to Chief Minister SK Sandhu besides Special Principal Secretaries to CM Gaggandip Singh Brar and KJS Cheema.