By IANS,
Chandigarh : Punjab has demanded a special package of Rs.7,410 crore from the central government to fight the drought like situation prevailing in the state.
A special delegation from the state, headed by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar in New Delhi Wednesday and submitted a memorandum in this regard, a state government spokesperson said.
“This package includes Rs.4,400 crore for the increase of Rs.400 per quintal in the minimum support price of paddy, Rs.1,100 crore as drought relief and Rs.1,420 crore for the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB),” the official told reporters.
“Besides, Rs.440 crore has been demanded to hike the support price of cotton by Rs.400 per quintal, and Rs.50 crore to increase the support price of maize by Rs.100 per quintal,” he added.
The state has also demanded that the support price for paddy be immediately revised to Rs.1,400 per quintal for fine grade and Rs.1,350 per quintal for common grade.
“There has been an alarming 70 percent shortfall in rain during May-June that seriously affected the sowing cycle of paddy, maize and cotton,” the official said.
The delegation comprised parliamentarians and legislators from the ruling Akali Dal and the allied Bharatiya Janata Party.
Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was also part of the delegation.