CHANDIGARH:Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday accepted the request of the Executive Committee of Kisan Vikas Chamber Punjab (KVCP) to allow them to operate from their office at Kalkat Bhawan in Mohali on farmer welfare and agricultural economic growth related issues despite the December 2019 Cabinet decision to hand over the building to the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
During a meeting with the executive members of the KVCP, Captain Amarinder assured them that the state government would provide adequate office space, including scope for future expansion, to carry out their activities for research and development in agriculture diversification, self sustaining marketing support mechanism, climatic change and environmental pollution.
He directed the Additional Chief Secretary (Development) to hold a meeting with the representatives of the Chamber to assess their requirement for additional space keeping in view their scope of work.
Captain Amarinder further said the entire expenditure incurred on the upkeep and maintenance of the infrastructure, electricity/water charges and security shall be borne by the state government. He also asked the ACS Development to make budgetary provision, for providing grant-in-aid annually to the Chamber for execution of its day-to-day activities, as well as engagement of consultants, experts and researchers to carry out various impact evaluation studies, besides organising seminars/conferences relating to revival and improvement in the state’s agrarian economy and livelihood of the farmers.
Captain Amarinder appreciated the work done by the KVCP in flagging crucial issues related to farming and vigorously pursuing these for getting agriculture and livestock sector out of the purview of GST regime and other farmer welfare measures.
The Chief Minister promised to have an exclusive meeting with the executive committee of the Chamber shortly to discuss the emerging opportunities and latest techniques for development of agriculture in the state.
The meeting was attended by ACS Development Viswajeet Khanna, Principal Secretary Tejveer Singh and Commissioner Agriculture Dr. BS Sidhu. The KVCP was represented by its President Karam Veer Singh Sidhu, Past President Kulwant Singh Ahluwalia, eminent floriculturist Avtar Singh Dhindsa and progressive fish farmer Gurjatinder Singh Virk (all executive members).