Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal has sought immediate intervention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for putting in place an effective institutional mechanism for smooth central procurement of foodgrains.
Badal on Wednesday called on the PM and apprised him of the serious problems being faced by the state government on the procurement and storage of food grains front. He was accompanied by state food supplies minister Adesh Partap Singh Kairon and his principal secretary DS Guru.
The CM told the PM that Punjab procures 110 lakh mt of wheat and 140 lakh mt of paddy every year and there is an acute shortage of storage space for these essential commodities. He pointed out that the state government was executing a pilot project for construction of silos for storage of wheat and the same has been sent to the Union food ministry for approval. He also demanded that the Centre must reimburse silo storage charges of Rs 1,365 per tonne per annum to state government. He further stressed that adequate storage space needs to be created for storage of rice and also pointed out the urgency of rapid movement of rice from Punjab to other states.
Badal also told the PM that incidental charges amounting to Rs 4,000 crore are to be reimbursed to the state since 2003-04 and the case is pending with the Union government. Similarly transport charges and losses due to storage damages are also pending for the last 10 years. He impressed upon the prime minister to intervene and get these issues settled.
The PM sharing his concern on these vital issues of national interest, agreed that he will speak to the Union food minister to find practical solution after discussion and the state food supplies minister may meet him for follow up of the matter.
Badal also impressed upon the PM for expediting the proposal of Amritsar-Tarn Taran railway line for which the Punjab government had already approached the railway ministry.
Manmohan responded favourably to these issues and assured for speedy action.