03 January2023, Punjab: The Punjab Government has committed to boosting the industrial sector and cotton industries which occupy a significant place in the State’s economy.
Reiterating this during a meeting with the representatives of the Punjab Cotton Factories and Ginner’s Association, the state finance minister Mr. Harpal Singh Cheema said that the Punjab Government aims to adopt an all-encompassing approach in bolstering the industrial sector as it plays an important role in the strengthening of State’s economy.
The representatives submitted that the fixed electricity charges be waived because of the failure of the cotton crop owing to the late and unseasonal rains and the consequent economic loss the cotton factories had to incur. Besides, their charter of demands also included encouraging the farmers to grow cotton, supply of good quality cotton seeds by the department, permission to install rice mills in the cotton factories’ premises, and ensuring the supply of cotton from the other States considering the inadequate cotton crop in Punjab.
Other demands that were raised by the association during the meeting included the waiver of market fees and RDF on cotton purchased from other states for two years, making provision in the budget to install underground pipes for drainage of water in water-logged districts and ensuring the availability of canal water during the sowing season in April.
Giving a sympathetic hearing to the demands, the Minister directed the officers to submit a detailed report in this regard apart from constituting a committee with the inclusion of one MLA of the affected districts, 2 members from the industry, and the officers of the concerned departments.
