By IANS,
Shimla : The two-day “Vichar Baithak” (brainstorming session) of Punjab’s ruling Shiromani Akali Dal concluded here Saturday, with the party announcing all subsidies, including in agriculture, would continue and it would demand a special agricultural zone for the state.
The meeting began against the backdrop of the state Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal’s questioning the Parkash Singh Badal government’s populist policies, particularly in the farm sector, on the eve of the session.
But the Akali Dal seemed to be united on the issue. “Our party is unanimously satisfied with every decision taken by the government in the past two and a half years of government… all the subsidies will continue,” party president Sukhbir Singh Badal told reporters at the end of the meet.
He said the party has passed a resolution, demanding a special agricultural zone status for the state for promoting agriculture on the pattern of special economic zones for industry.
“Punjab is the single largest contributor to national food kitty. As such, the central government must declare it a special agricultural zone,” he said.
“The party also demanded 50 percent share in the states’ contribution to the central taxes. Presently, the central government takes the entire amount of taxes, which seriously hampers regional economy and development. We demand that the states must be authorised to prioritise planning and development processes.”
Badal said it was unanimously felt that a special industry package should also be extended to Punjab.
“The industry in the state has suffered because of disproportionate incentives provided by the central government to our neighbouring states. The centre must ensure a level-playing field.”
Badal said it was also unanimously felt that to expand the party’s social base, it needed better participation of youth, women, weaker sections, the poor, farmers, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.