Punjab Chief Minister Announces Major Border Fence Survey to Assist Farmers
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann made a significant announcement on Sunday, revealing that the Union home ministry has authorized a comprehensive social impact survey across six border districts of the state. This move aims to evaluate the potential relocation of the border security fence closer to the India-Pakistan international border, a step expected to bring substantial relief to thousands of farmers.
Survey to Cover Key Border Districts
The survey will be conducted in the districts of Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Fazilka, and Ferozepur. While speaking at Takht Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabo, CM Mann highlighted that international guidelines permit the fence to be positioned as close as 150 metres from the border. However, even moving it to a 300-metre limit would provide significant benefits to agricultural communities.
Addressing Farmer Hardships
Currently, farmers managing lakhs of acres in these border areas face numerous challenges:
- Access to fields beyond the fence is restricted to specific hours only.
- All movements remain under strict scrutiny by the Border Security Force (BSF).
- Farmers are prohibited from cultivating "tall crops" such as maize, sugarcane, and long-stem paddy varieties to prevent their use as cover for illegal activities.
CM Mann emphasized that these issues were raised with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The approved survey is designed to alleviate the burden on farmers and could save the Central government approximately Rs 15,000 per acre in compensation currently paid for landholding restrictions.
Operational Benefits and Immediate Actions
The relocation of the fence is also anticipated to reduce the operational load on the BSF, who currently must frisk every farmer twice daily. The home ministry has already issued letters to deputy commissioners, authorizing Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) to commence the surveys without delay.
Additional Government Initiatives Announced
In his address, CM Mann outlined several other key policy developments:
- Wheat Crop Assessment: A central team is visiting Punjab to evaluate losses in wheat crops caused by unseasonal rain and hail. The team will determine the extent of damage to decide on necessary relaxations in quality control parameters for procurement.
- Sacrilege Law Amendments: On April 13, the anniversary of the founding of the Khalsa Panth in 1699, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government will amend the Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2008. The amendments introduce harsher punishments and fines for sacrilege, structured to allow state implementation without requiring the President of India's approval.
- Schools of Eminence Policy: A new policy for the state's Schools of Eminence will grant automatic, by-default admission to the top 20 performers in classes VIII and X board exams.
Infrastructure and Connectivity Proposals
During the event, CM Mann inaugurated a newly constructed tehsil complex at Talwandi Sabo. He also advocated for improved rail connectivity for the takht, recalling his 2018 proposal as a Member of Parliament for a "Sikhism on Wheels" train circuit. Modeled after Rajasthan's Palace on Wheels, this initiative aims to link the five Takhts, promoting religious tourism and accessibility.
This series of announcements underscores the Punjab government's focus on addressing agricultural distress, enhancing security efficiency, and implementing progressive policies across various sectors.
