DW BUREAU / CHANDIGARH

In a pivotal three-hour meeting today, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government, and representatives from the farmers' unions reached a general consensus on almost all critical issues, prioritizing the larger interests of the state. The Punjab Government reassured the farmer leaders that many of their demands have already been implemented, and actions to fulfill the remaining legitimate demands are currently underway.

Held in a constructive atmosphere here at Punjab Bhawan, the meeting saw the presence of several high-ranking officials, including Special Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister V.K. Singh, Special Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha, Additional Chief Secretary Tejveer Singh, Principal Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Vikas Garg, Administrative Secretary Science, Technology, and Environment Priyank Bharti, Administrative Secretary Rural Development and Panchayat Dilraj Singh Sandhawalia, ADGP Intelligence R. K. Jaiswal, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of PSPCL Baldev Singh Saran, and senior officials from the Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Departments. The farmers' union was represented by leaders including Sarwan Singh Pandher, Kaka Singh Kotra, Surjit Singh Phool, Jaswinder Singh Longowal, Satnam Singh Sahni, Gurwinder Singh Bhangu, Sukhjit Singh Hardo Jhande, Harpreet Singh Sidhwan, Ranjit Singh Kler Bala, Kanwardip Saidolehal, and Kandahar Singh Bhoewal.

One of the key issues discussed was the provision of jobs to the families of farmers who lost their lives during the farmers' struggles. The Punjab Government assured the leaders that out of 856 such farmers, about 99 percent of the family members have already been provided government jobs and assistance, with the remaining cases in process. The necessary steps to complete the remaining cases will be taken soon.

Regarding the purchase of paddy, the Punjab Government committed to ensuring the purchase of every grain. Discussions with Aartis and Rice Mill owners are ongoing to resolve any outstanding issues. On the matter of due payments to farmers by sugarcane mills, officials confirmed that all payments have been made except for the Phagwara sugarcane mill, with assurances that these payments will be processed soon.

The issue of stray animals affecting farmers is soon going to be addressed by the government, which is forming a committee to comprehensively tackle this problem. On the drug problem in the state, Punjab Police officials reported that 26,000 persons have been arrested in drug trafficking cases, and no person involved is being spared regardless of their position or social status, as per the guidelines of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Maan.
(editor@dailyworld.in)