Union Minister Ravneet Bittu Discusses Punjab's Industry and Farmer Issues with FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Chandigarh, July 11 – Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing, Ravneet Singh Bittu, met with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for extensive discussions on the critical issues facing Punjab. Bittu advocated for special incentives for the border districts of Punjab, similar to those granted to Jammu and Kashmir, as well as incentives for the state's industry and farmers.

During the marathon meeting held late last night, Bittu emphasized the need to prioritize Punjab's demands, given its status as a border state. He called for special incentives for the border districts of Amritsar, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, and Tarn Taran to stimulate investment and employment opportunities, akin to the benefits provided to Jammu and Kashmir and Northeastern states.

Bittu highlighted the necessity of reintroducing the flagship Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (CLCSS) with a threshold limit of ₹1 crore, noting the absence of effective schemes to support MSMEs in achieving technological advancements. In light of the recent rise in capital costs, he also advocated for increasing the limit under the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) to ₹1 crore.

Addressing the transportation challenges faced by land-locked states like Punjab, Bittu suggested amending freight subsidy criteria to include MSMEs in Punjab. He pointed out that transportation costs to the nearest port in India are significantly higher for land-locked states compared to coastal states, and emphasized the existing transport subsidies enjoyed by states like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, parts of Uttarakhand, and West Bengal, which range from 50 to 90 percent.

Additionally, Bittu urged a reduction in GST on bicycles to 5 percent, aligning it with the rate for e-bicycles. He also demanded the commencement of operations for the refrigeration unit near Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar to enhance the export of food items from Punjab. The unit, installed years ago, remains non-functional, but its operation would benefit Punjab and its neighboring states.

Bittu further proposed the "Farmer Entrepreneur Initiative" and special incentives for the agro-based MSME and food processing industries. These measures, he argued, would enable Punjab's farmers to establish food processing industries, thereby generating employment in the border state. His suggestions included lower interest rates, collateral-free loans, and CGST relaxations. He also sought a waiver for farmers with land holdings up to five acres, the establishment of soil testing labs for the Majha, Doaba, and Malwa regions of Punjab, and a special package for R&D at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.

Bittu concluded by expressing gratitude for the Finance Minister's patience and attentiveness, stating that she assured him Punjab would receive significant representation in the upcoming budget.