Not against Corporates, but need regulation to protect farmers’ interests’, says Punjab CM

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 Expressing concern over the difference of opinion between the state and central governments on the agricultural bills, Punjab Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh  categorically stated, “We are not against corporates but there has to be a regulation to protect the farmers and the long-standing relationship they have with the Arhtiyas.” Any attempt to do away with this system will not work, he asserted, adding that his government had brought in Bills in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha to negate the impact of the central farm laws and had also taken up the issue with the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister, among others.

          “We have to ensure food security, what is plenty today may not be there tomorrow,” he pointed out, adding that while India was currently exporting wheat it did not mean that the surplus foodgrains will remain forever. The country has to keep its reserves, he said at the virtual inaugural session of the USA-Punjab Investors’ Roundtable 2020.

          Appreciating the growing interest of American companies in Punjab, which contributes 3% to India’s GDP with just 1.5% of the country’s land area, the Chief Minister said earlier that that while it was predominantly an agricultural state and home to India’s Green Revolution, his government wanted agriculture to become more high-value now, with greater growth in the overseas market. Inviting the investors to enjoy the state’s unique business-friendly culture that promoted entrepreneurship, he pointed out that USA was the top export destination (USD 685 million amounting to approx. 12% of Punjab’s total exports in 2019-20) for Punjab-based companies.

          At the outset, the Chief Minister congratulated the US on the completion of its electoral process and on the election of Joe Biden and Kamla Harris as President and Vice President-elect, respectively. He hoped this would usher in a new era of cooperation and friendship between the the US and Punjab.

          Underlining the role played by the large and vibrant Punjabi NRI population in the US, the Chief Minister said they were working hard to bring success to their countries, with Taranjit Singh Sandhu, currently serving as the Indian Ambassador to the US, a prime example of the synergy that exists between USA & Punjab.

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