PRO-AGRICULTURE BUDGET, JUBILATION AT PAU

LUDHIANA, JUNE 20:-----



Giving his remarks on the budget, the PAU Vice Chancellor, Dr. Baldev Singh Dhillon expressed his appreciation that the government has focused on agriculture. He elaborated that the Punjab Government has given priority to the agricultural sector by increasing the allocation to Rs 885 crore in the year 2012-13 as compared to Rs 582 crore in 2011-12, which is 52 % increase. Similarly, the PAU budget has been increased to Rs 189 crore in 2012-13 in comparison to Rs 124 crore (2011-12). This increase will strengthen the research, teaching and extension programmes in the University and enable it to address the emerging concerns in contemporary agriculture, he said.

Dr. Dhillon appreciated that a sum of 72 crore for forest development will help make environment clean and green. The setting up of a new Kheti Bhawan at Ajitgarh will help better coordination among the departments concerned with agricultural development. The modernization of Verka and other Milk Plants is a step in the right direction as it will help dairy farmers and consumers in the state, he said adding that the rural development in Punjab will get a positive thrust with the allocation of rupees 837 crore. He thanked the Hon\'ble Chief Minister, Punjab, Sardar Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab, Sardar Sukhbir Singh Badal and the Finance Minister, Sardar Parminder Singh Dhindsa for their pro-agriculture visionary budget.



Discussing the contours of the budget, the Head of the Department of Economics and Sociology at PAU, Dr. M.S.Sidhu said that the total size of the budget is Rs 57,648 crore. The Finance Minister pegged the additional resources requirement of Rs 2000 crore to finance annual plan of Rs 14,000 crore for the financial year 2012-13, he said. There is proposal to generate this Rs 2000 crore by cutting down unproductive expenditure and through other austerity measures, better tax administration and tax compliance. There is also scope for rationalizing some taxes and levies, he added saying that the budget is prudent one.

The compensation to the victim families of farmers' suicides will also be paid during the year 2012-13, said Dr. Sidhu adding that for this purpose, a sum of Rs 30 crore has been provided in the budget. The free power to the farm sector will continue in the year 2012-13 and Dalit/BPL households will also get free electricity up to 200 units for month. In this regard, a sum of Rs 5100 crore has been provided in the budget. For green Punjab, a sum of Rs 72 crore has been provided. Since cancer disease has become a menace in some parts of the state, therefore, there is a proposal to give Rs 1.50 lakh to those stricken by this deadly disease. For development of sports infrastructure, a sum of Rs 104 crore has been allotted.

The budget has been prepared keeping in view the interest of all sections of the society but huge public debt amounting to Rs 87,518 crore in the current financial year is a matter of concern and the Union Government may provide relief to the State Government in the larger national interest, said Dr. Sidhu.

The Dr. Mukesh Siag and Dr. H.S.Kingra, respectively President and General Secretary of Punjab Agricultural University Teachers Association (PAUTA), Mr. Paramjit Singh Gill and Dr. Gulzar Pandher, respectively President and General Secretary of PAU Employees Union, Mr. Pavittar Pal Singh Pangli, President of PAU Kisan Club, have appreciated the budget. Dr. Siag said that the farmers, scientists (retired and serving) will be benefited from the budget and thanked all those concerned with the budget. They re-affirmed their commitment to work as per the new initiatives taken by Dr. Dhillon and their patronage by the Punjab Government in its budget.
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