Rejects New Central Notification Diluting Punjab Right Over Chandigarh...

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday said he had requested Food Corporation of India (FCI) to consider increasing the accepted moisture level for paddy procurement in view of the impact of the recent heavy rains on the crop. He was interacting with mediapersons after inaugurating the Mahatma Gandhi Sarbat Vikas Yojna (MGSVY) mega camp here this afternoon. The Chief Minister also reaffirmed his personal commitment to the welfare of the farming community and said the farm loan waiver scheme initiated by his government would be completed by this year-end.

On the issue of the recent Central notification on Chandigarh UT cadre allocation, Captain Amarinder Singh made it clear that his government was not in agreement with the Union Government on this. He said he had already written to the PM requesting him to reconsider the notification. He further said he would again take up the issue with the Prime Minister during their meeting in Delhi on Thursday.

The 60:40 ratio, as decided upon in 1966 at the time of division of Punjab and Haryana must not be disturbed, the Chief Minister stressed. Responding to a query, Captain Amarinder Singh expressed full confidence in the ability of SIT formed to investigate in the sacrilege cases and said the SIT was an independent body and would submit its report in due time. The State Government had no mandate to direct SIT   in this regard, the Chief Minister added.

Replying to a question on attempts being made by radical elements to foment trouble in Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh categorically said that nobody would be allowed to vitiate the hard-earned peace of Punjab. Trashing the alleged attempts by a minuscule of people outside India, who had no base and support in Punjab, he said anybody trying to play with the emotions of Punjabis for their ulterior motives would be severely dealt with.

Referring to reports of donations being received by some political parties from abroad to destabilise Punjab, he said the state government was already investigating these charges and looking into the source of funding, with the Income Tax department also being kept in the loop.