DIRECTION to release tubewell connection under ARTC Scheme within three months

Chandigarh, July 20, 2013: The Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal directed the PSPCL to release the tubewell connection to the farmers under ARTC scheme within three months positively after the submission of test report by them. 

A decision to this effect was taken by Badal in a meeting with the delegation of BKU led by its President Balbir Singh Rajewal here at Chief Minister’s residence this evening.

Badal asked the Chairman PSPCL to issue detailed guidelines to the officers in this regard to ensure its strict compliance. On the issue of Voluntary Disclosure Scheme (VDS) to slash the rate from Rs 4500 to Rs 1000 per BHP for enhancing the load capacity of the motors in view of depleting water table, the Chief Minister apprised the delegation that the Chairman PSPCL had already taken up this issue with the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission so that the matter could be resolved amicably at the earliest. To another demand for ensuring uninterrupted power supply for eight hours for the ongoing paddy season, Badal asked the Chairman PSPCL to intensify efforts to provide adequate power supply to the farmers during these operations.

Badal also asked the Chief Engineer Canals to revert back the old system of levying Abiana so that water charges on canal water used by the farmers could be rationalised to their advantage.

Responding to another issue regarding the mistakes in the computerised land records, Badal asked the Financial Commissioner Revenue to ensure correct entries by the Patwaris in the land record and in case of any mistakes, occurring inadvertently should be rectified forthwith after brought into the notice of concerned revenue officials. To this, FCR informed Badal that the number of mistakes in these land records had been drastically brought down from 10,000 to 32, 00 following strict vigil by the revenue officers.

The Chief Minister also approved the Forest department’s scheme of barbed fencing around the sanctuaries namely Bir Moti Bagh, Gurdialpura, Dosanjh, Bhadson and Bhunnarheri to protect the crops from severe damage caused by the wild animals and stray cattle. He agreed to include this proposal of Rs. 13.67 crore in the RKVY.

The Chief Minister also assured the delegation that the unscrupulous dealers of fertilizers and pesticides caught red-handed by the Agriculture department, involved in the for the sale of adulterated fertilizers would not be spared at any cost and asked the FCD to immediately initiate stern action against them for cheating the innocent farmers.

In another significant decision the Chief Minister directed the Principal Secretary Industries to allow the farmers for mining of the earth (Mitti) from their fields for personal/domestic use as now they were unduly harassed by the Police under the pretext of mining provisions. Meanwhile, the Principal Secretary Industries apprised Mr. Badal that the SIT headed by IG Bathinda by the state government on the issue of mining in compliance with the directions of Punjab & Haryana High Court has categorically asked all the DCs and SSPs to allow the farmers to utilize earth dug from their fields for purpose of personal use either for leveling of fields or courtyards in their houses.

On the issue of releasing arrears worth Rs.150 crore on account of paddy bonus during drought, Mr. Badal asked the FCD to take up the issue with Finance department for the release of payment at the earliest.

Prominent amongst others who were attended the meeting FCR NS Kang, FCD Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary Forest DS Bains, Principal Secretary Industry and Commerce Karn Avtar Singh, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister SK Sandhu, Commissioner Agriculture BS Sidhu, Chairman PSPCL KD Chaudary and Chief Engineer Canals AS Dulat.