Agriculture debt settlement forums yet to be operational

Amaninder Pal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 25

The five agriculture debt settlement forums established by the state government are yet to become operational as only two of the five retired judges picked as chairpersons have assumed charge so far.

The government has also not announced the names of the representatives of commission agents and farmers, each of whom will be designated as a forum member. Each forum, headed by the chairperson, will have three members.

Sources said Roshan Lal Ahuja and HS Dhaliwal had joined at Jalandhar and Ferozepur, respectively. The other forums have been set up in Ropar, Patiala and Faridkot.

Financial Commissioner (Development) NS Kalsi had issued the appointment orders to the retired judges on September 8.

The state government will pay Rs 7,500 per sitting to each chairperson. The maximum number of sittings per month has been fixed at 14. The government will not pay allowance for accommodation, conveyance, travel and medical reimbursement. The two forum members will be paid Rs 3,750 per sitting. The maximum remuneration is Rs 1 lakh per month for each chairperson and Rs 50,000 for every member.

Sources said one of the chairpersons had informed the government about his reluctance to take up the responsibility due to the “flawed” terms and conditions.

Director, Agriculture, JS Bains, confirmed that two officers had joined duty.