Allot UT's surplus revenue to Punjab, Hry: SAD MP
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, February 10
SAD Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab Naresh Gujral on Monday urged the Centre to distribute the surplus revenue of the UT of Chandigarh between Punjab and Haryana as it is their state capital.
Speaking amid the debate on proposals of the Union Budget 2020-21 in Rajya Sabha, Gujral pitched against the current practice of diversion of the surplus revenue to Consolidated Fund of India.
He sought the Centre’s intervention for early settlement of Punjab’s Rs 31,000 crore debt on account of purchase of food grain by the state government. He termed the categorisation of the amount as loan of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) as “arbitrary and unjust” which has “created hardship” for the state. The categorisation of the loan has been also contested by the state government. He suggested instituting of a body to arbitrate in the matter. The state will adhere to its adjudication, Gujral said.
He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for enhancing compensation amount for the family of the victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riot and constituting an SIT to reinvestigate the riot-cases which has led to prosecution of influential persons. He said prosecution process is on against others too.
He lauded Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for striking a “fine balance” between requirements of economy’s growth and maintaining fiscal discipline. He was appreciative of the allocation of a whopping Rs 2,83,000 lakh crore (cumulatively) for Rural Development and the Agriculture sectors.
He also appreciated enhancing agriculture credit from Rs 15 lakh crore to Rs 20 lakh crore.
While lauding Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, he urge for inclusion of the landless farmers within its ambit.
He, however, suggested implementation of Swaminathan panel’s recommendations in letter and spirit.
