New Delhi Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Ravneet Singh Bittu on Wednesday met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and sought special incentives for industry and farmers in border districts of Punjab , following the pattern of Jammu and Kashmir.
"Addressing the issues of Punjab in a marathon meeting held on Wednesday evening, the Hon'ble Minister urged the Hon'ble Finance Minister to consider the demands of Punjab on priority of being a border state," said a press release issued by Bittu's office. .
The minister demanded special incentives for the border districts of Punjab, namely Amritsar, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran, to boost investment and employment opportunities in line with Jammu and Kashmir and the northeastern states, the statement added.
“The Honorable Minister informed the FM that the flagship Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (CLCSS) should be reintroduced with a limit of 100,000,000 as there is a lack of effective schemes that support MSMEs to achieve technological advancements.” the statement said.
"In light of the recent increase in capital costs, it is desired that the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Program (PMEGP) limit be increased to 100,000,000," he added.
According to Bittu's office, the minister also suggested to Sitharaman an amendment in the transport subsidy criteria to cover MSMEs in Punjab.
“The External Affairs Minister was apprised of the fact that transportation costs for delivering goods to the nearest port in India are much higher for landlocked states like Punjab as compared to coastal states. The cost also depends on the distance of the nearest port to the respective state.” the statement said.
"Many other states like J&K, Himachal Pradesh, parts of Uttarakhand and West Bengal enjoy transport subsidies ranging from 50 to 90 per cent," he added.
According to the minister's office, the meeting also discussed the issue of reducing GST on bicycles to 5%, as well as on e-bikes.
“The Honorable Minister demanded to start operations of Refrigeration Unit near Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, Amritsar, to boost food export from Punjab. The unit, installed years ago, still does not work. It would also benefit Punjab and neighboring states,” the statement said.
The minister also promoted an “Agricultural Entrepreneurs Initiative” and special incentives for agricultural MSMEs along with the food processing industry to generate employment in the border districts, he added.
“The Honorable Minister suggested lower interest rate, collateral-free loans and relaxation in CGST. “It also sought exemption for farmers with holdings up to 5 acres, soil testing laboratories for Majha, Doaba and Malwa regions in Punjab and a special package for R&D at Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana,” it reads. in the statement.
"The Hon'ble Finance Minister listened to him patiently and assured that Punjab will be very well represented in the upcoming budget," he added.
"Addressing the issues of Punjab in a marathon meeting held on Wednesday evening, the Hon'ble Minister urged the Hon'ble Finance Minister to consider the demands of Punjab on priority of being a border state," said a press release issued by Bittu's office. .
The minister demanded special incentives for the border districts of Punjab, namely Amritsar, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran, to boost investment and employment opportunities in line with Jammu and Kashmir and the northeastern states, the statement added.
“The Honorable Minister informed the FM that the flagship Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (CLCSS) should be reintroduced with a limit of 100,000,000 as there is a lack of effective schemes that support MSMEs to achieve technological advancements.” the statement said.
"In light of the recent increase in capital costs, it is desired that the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Program (PMEGP) limit be increased to 100,000,000," he added.
According to Bittu's office, the minister also suggested to Sitharaman an amendment in the transport subsidy criteria to cover MSMEs in Punjab.
“The External Affairs Minister was apprised of the fact that transportation costs for delivering goods to the nearest port in India are much higher for landlocked states like Punjab as compared to coastal states. The cost also depends on the distance of the nearest port to the respective state.” the statement said.
"Many other states like J&K, Himachal Pradesh, parts of Uttarakhand and West Bengal enjoy transport subsidies ranging from 50 to 90 per cent," he added.
According to the minister's office, the meeting also discussed the issue of reducing GST on bicycles to 5%, as well as on e-bikes.
“The Honorable Minister demanded to start operations of Refrigeration Unit near Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, Amritsar, to boost food export from Punjab. The unit, installed years ago, still does not work. It would also benefit Punjab and neighboring states,” the statement said.
The minister also promoted an “Agricultural Entrepreneurs Initiative” and special incentives for agricultural MSMEs along with the food processing industry to generate employment in the border districts, he added.
“The Honorable Minister suggested lower interest rate, collateral-free loans and relaxation in CGST. “It also sought exemption for farmers with holdings up to 5 acres, soil testing laboratories for Majha, Doaba and Malwa regions in Punjab and a special package for R&D at Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana,” it reads. in the statement.
"The Hon'ble Finance Minister listened to him patiently and assured that Punjab will be very well represented in the upcoming budget," he added.
