Punjab seeks 100% central funding for crop residue management

According to sources, these demands have been raised by Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian in a letter to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Khuddian also met Chouhan at Krishi Bhawan on Thursday.

In the letter, Khuddian said: “To manage the residue, Crop Residue Management Scheme has been implemented in the state since 2018-19. From 2018-19 till 2022-23 the scheme was 100% centrally sponsored but in the year 2023-24 the funding pattern was changed to 60 (Centre):40 (State). As burning of crop residue is an important issue and also keeping in view the contribution of the state to national food security, it is proposed that the crop residue management scheme be made Centre Sector Scheme and for this 100% funds should be provided by central government.”

Seeking financial support for management of paddy stubble, Khuddian said: “The state government has requested the Centre to support and collaborate by providing incentive per acre basis as compensation to farmers in lieu of the additional cost to be incurred on management of paddy stubble… to tackle stubble burning menace and air pollution in NCR Delhi, Haryana and Punjab.”

“Government of Punjab would do its bit and this endeavour could become a distinguished symbol of cooperative federalism to solve an issue that doesn’t respect any borders. It is therefore again requested to consider this proposal on priority in the interest of farmers’ welfare as well as common citizens,” Khuddian said.

He also urged Chouhan to approve the state government’s proposal regarding State Agricultural Statistics Authority (SASA), which he said is pending with the Centre for formal approval.-WITH ENS, Chandigarh