Sukhbir seeks special power quota for paddy sowing

PNS | Jalalabad

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Wednesday asked the Union Power Ministry to consider 1000 MW special annual 'paddy quota' of power for Punjab.

He said this special quota should be over and above the Central allocation to the State and the Centre should work out a plan to increase the quota to current requirement of 2,700 MW of power for paddy transplantation in a phased manner.

Badal also demanded 25,000 demonstration solar powered deep tubewell pumps, minimum two for each village, fully funded by the Centre, while speaking at various rallies in Fatehgarh, Tarobari, Keerianwala, Rangeela, Chak Punna Wala, Hauz Khas, Chak Pakhi, Hauz Gandhar, Singhewala, Chak Singhewala, Chak Sotrian, Basti Jhuge Fangian of Jalalabad constituency, where he is seeking election.

Badal said farmers of Punjab were sowing water intensive crop like paddy only to supply the produce to the central pool and so it was the duty of the Union Government to ensure uninterrupted and free supply of power and other inputs used by farmers for transplantation of paddy crop.

He said since coarse rice produced by farmers was not consumed in Punjab and 100 per cent procurement of this variety of rice was just for the Central pool.

Criticising the Central Government for discontinuing subsidy on solar powered pump sets, Badal said in the era of energy shortage it was the duty of the Central Government to encourage use of solar power.

He said that in addition to 25,000 demonstration pump sets, the Union Environment Ministry should reintroduce 70 per cent subsidy on solar pump sets and also interest free loans for installation of these pumps, so that farmers could be encouraged to harness solar energy.

Reiterating the commitment of the Punjab Government to touch a new record in paddy as well as wheat production despite the drought like situation, Badal said it was the bounden duty of the Centre to compensate Punjab farmers.