Punjab approves policy for extending financial relief to farm labourers affected by pest attack

In a bid to provide financial relief to the cotton picking farm labourers, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Wednesday approved the policy formulated for extending relief to the families of cotton picking farm labourers affected by the damage caused to the cotton crop by the pink bollworm (pest attack).

According to an official spokesperson with this decision, 10 percent of total compensation to be given to the farmers on this count would be provided to the families of cotton picking farm labourers affected by the pest attack on cotton crop.

Meanwhile, on the issue of Post-Matric SC Scholarship Scheme, the Cabinet deliberated up on the hardships faced by SC students who are beneficiaries of Post-Matric SC Scholarship Scheme. According to spokesperson it was highlighted that this scheme was sharing between GoI and Punjab Government in the ratio of 60:40. However, GoI stopped giving its share from 2016 onwards under this scheme.

Resultantly, the Cabinet decided that the state government would bear its liability of 40 percent amounting to Rs. 433.96 crore since 2017-18, to be released in two installments during the financial years 2021-22 and 2022-23.

The spokesperson said in a landmark decision, the Cabinet also gave approval to scrap the fee capping thereby keeping the fee of SC students at par with the general category students.

The Cabinet also gave a go ahead to initiate action against those defaulter Institutions, which indulged in fraudulent practices by lodging an FIR and blacklisting the same.

Meanwhile, centre’s Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for committed price support of Rs 17,408.85 crore to the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) for the cotton seasons from 2014-15 to 2020-21 (upto 30.09.2021), said a press release from Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs.

“In order to safeguard the interests of the cotton farmers, it is expedient to conduct price support operations in cotton years 2014-15 to 2020-21 as cotton prices touched the MSP prices. Its implementation enhances the inclusiveness of cotton farmers in the economic activity of the country. Price support operations help stabilize the cotton prices and alleviate farmers’ distress,” said the press release. Cotton is one of the most important cash crops and plays a major role in sustaining the livelihood of around 58 lakh cotton farmers and 400 to 500 lakh people engaged in related activities such as cotton processing and trade.