December 11, 2019
Topic: Rural Infrastructure.
News:-The Indo – Pakistan border villages of Punjab to get new boats for addressing their basic needs.
Background: the villages of the region have to rely on temporary Beras or local boats to cross the Sutlej river.
In June this year, three persons had died as the Bera in which they were travelling capsized.
- During the rainy season, the things get worse.
- Also, the Transport of cattle, farm machinery, etc also becomes challenging.
- So, now the government has provided them with the help of rupees 40 lakh for getting them 7 boats.
- This will benefit around 27000 people from 25 Ferozepur villages.
This would help:-
- The school children by making the schools more accessible.
- The employment increase as the distance would get reduced and convenience improved.
- The farm economy by providing adequate care for their fields.
(Source:- The Tribune)
Topic: Punjab Economy.
News:- Basmati exports hit a 5- year low.
From 20. 89 lakh tonnes of exports in 2015-16 to 18.71 lakh tonnes in 2019-20, the Basmati exports have hit a roadblock.
Reasons:-
- Iran, one of the major importers of Basmati rice is facing sanctions from the USA.
- Also, around rupees, 1100 crore from Iran have been pending for the past six months.
- The pesticides’ residue requirement and other stringent Sanitary and phytosanitary norms have called the exports into question.
- The European Union has asked that exports of Basmati would require Certificate of Inspection from the Export Inspection Council.
- Around 70-75% of Basmati exports from the country are from Punjab and Haryana.
- Basmati crop is a major cash crop for the farmers as it provides high remuneration.
- The Area under Basmati has gone up by 36% this year.
- Also, due to the bumper Basmati rice crop, the average realisation of the farmers have dropped to 2300-2700 rupees per quintal this year from 3300-3600 last year.
(Source:- The Tribune)
Topic: Infrastructure.
News:- Sharaf group to set up a Logistics park in Kila Raipur near Ludhiana.
- UAE based Sharaf group will establish this park to give a boost to the infrastructure in the state.
- It will spread across 65 acres.
- In its first phase, around 250 crore rupees would be invested.
- UAE is one of the major export destinations for Punjab.
- It is also one of the prime importers of textiles and food products from the state.
(Source:- The Tribune)
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