Chandigarh, February 28
Rain, they say, is a good omen, but it also brings it with a plethora of problems.
While the inclement weather brought cheers to the Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party (SAD-BJP) alliance yesterday, it has also set an immediate agenda for the government-in-waiting.
Incessant rain, accompanied by hailstorms and hailstones, since yesterday have caused widespread damage to the crops throughout the state. In fact, the first spell of inclement weather, witnessed on the eve of the February 13 polling, had also caused damage to wheat, gram and vegetable crops. And its return within a fortnight has farmers worried.
While in the neighbouring Haryana, the government had ordered special girdawaris in areas where rain had caused damage, no such relief was ordered in Punjab. Now with the return of rain, the state is in transit as outgoing Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has resigned and his successor Parkash Singh Badal will take oath of office two days from now, on March 2.
Reports from the field suggest that besides flattening and logging witnessed in the wheat and gram crop, the continuous strong surface winds and incessant rain are also detrimental to other crops, including vegetables and fruit.
Incidentally, even before the new SAD-BJP government assumes office, it has its immediate agenda cut out. Besides coming to the farmers’ immediate rescue, it has to approve new excise policy and get the vote on account passed from the Vidhan Sabha.
It also has to give shape to its much publicised election slogan of providing
atta at Rs 4 a kg and dal at Rs 20 a kg.
Legally speaking, the new Punjab Vidhan Sabha has to be constituted before March 14. On the recommendation of the outgoing Congress government, Governor S.F. Rodrigues yesterday dissolved the 12th Punjab Vidhan Sabha.
New excise policy and vote on account are two important items on the agenda which have to be cleared in March.
Constitution of the 13th Punjab Vidhan Sabha, election of pro-tem Speaker and swearing in of new members, election of Speaker (and also Deputy Speaker), passing of vote of account as the new government may take its time in finalizing the Budget for 2007-08 are some of the immediate legislative requirements.
Since Chandigarh and Haryana have already announced their excise policies for the coming financial year, Punjab has to finalise and take its new excise policy to the Council of Ministers and complete the process before March 31. Excise is major source of revenue.
