Agri Dept to submit amended proposal to EC

The Agriculture Department today decided to amend its proposal on farm subsidies, which was rejected by the Election Commission (EC). The amended proposal to be submitted to the commission tomorrow stresses on agri-equipment and fertilizer needed in next two months before the start of paddy season in the state. Sources said in the amended proposal it had been recommended farmers be allowed to import mechanised transplanters and laser levellers. It has also sought from the commission permission to distribute gypsum to farmers on subsidised price to treat soil before the onset of paddy season. Sources said the department aimed at facilitating the import of 700 mechanised transplanters and offer subsidy of 50 per cent of the cost of the machine or Rs 1.50 lakh per machine. The department has proposed to give subsidy of 33 per cent or Rs 1.25 lakh per machine on laser levellers. The new proposals are comedown from earlier proposal to allow sale of rotavators, happy seeders and other equipment through over 200 agricultural societies in the state on subsidy to farmers. The department will plead denial of permission for these subsidies would hit t the farmers and the two- year old programme to mechanise paddy transplantation. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Lakhowal) president Balbir Singh Rajewal met state Chief Electoral Officer Kusumjit Sidhu and requested her to take back the ban on agri subsidies announced by the commission. Rajewal said agri subsidies, including those on mechanised transplanters were essential to ensure smooth transplantation of paddy.. He said use of laser levellers was prerequisite for a farmer wanting mechanised transplantation. Meanwhile, the Election Commission today recommended suspension of Talwara Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO) Baldev Singh. There were complaints he had distributed cheques. The commission also ordered the transfer of two Bathinda naib tehsildars Gurmail Singh and Subhash alleged to be working in their home districts. The commission has also directed the secretary, Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) to give report on allegations that the office of PSEB, north under Chief Engineer TS Thind had distributed meters and violated and model code of conduct.