A day after the Centre postponed paddy procurement for Kharif marketing season (KMS) 2021-22 till October 10 in the wake of recent rains, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Friday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured him of early resolution of the issue.
Channi, who called on the Prime Minister at the latter's official residence in New Delhi in the evening, termed his maiden visit after assuming the charge as Chief Minister as a courtesy call. “It is the duty of any Chief Minister when he takes over to call on the Prime Minister...The overall outcome of the meeting was quite positive as it was held in a congenial atmosphere,” said Channi.
“I had apprised the Prime Minister about the preparedness of paddy procurement across the state, which was to commence from October 1 and now has been delayed due to the directive of Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution,” said Channi while talking to the media persons immediately after the meeting.
Channi said that the Prime Minister informed him that he (PM) would soon get this issue addressed in consultation with the Ministry of Food on the top priority.
Referring to the Kartarpur corridor which was closed due to a surge in COVID-19 cases during the past several months, Channi asked the Prime Minister to immediately reopen the corridor as there is now considerable improvement in the Covid situation. “This step would go a long way to enable the devotees to pay their obeisance at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur,” he said.
The Chief Minister also impressed upon Modi to immediately find a permanent solution to the farmers’ demands on priority as it has led to an overall economic slowdown in the State which is predominantly an agrarian economy.
He emphasized the need to resume the process of dialogue with the farmers immediately to repeal these farm laws and therefore sought the Prime Minister’s personal intervention in this regard.
Seeking the Centre’s wholehearted support and cooperation to encourage organic farming, the Chief Minister also impressed upon Modi to help the State in promoting this eco-friendly farming in a big way to boost its economy.