Business EconomyPosted at: Nov 16 2021 10:50AM Punjab FM proposes PLI-like scheme for agri, doorstep delivery of services in meeting with SitharamanBy Nirbhay Kumar New Delhi, Nov 16 (UNI) Punjab has proposed to the Centre to come up with a production-linked incentives (PLI) like scheme for the agriculture sector in the forthcoming Union Budget to help farmers migrate from wheat and rice to pulses, oilseeds and animal husbandry. "Agriculture is synonymous with Punjab. We are in a state of transition. There are new age problems and if in the Union budget Ms Sitharaman could announce something like PLI which they have done for the industry so that farmers could migrate to other crops or animal husbandry. This will lead to farmers' income going up and also this whole debate on stubble burning, water conservation gets taken care of,” Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal told UNI. Under PLI scheme, Centre gives incentives to companies on incremental sales of manufactured items across various sectors such as electronics, pharma and automobiles. Participating in the marathon meeting held by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman with state chief ministers (CMs) and finance ministers (FMs) to bolster growth and investment in the country, Badal also sought helping hand from the central government to make a big leap in renewable energy by retiring its expensive coal-fired power stations in the medium term. "Power is very expensive in Punjab because most of our power stations are fired by coal. Coal comes from the furthest point in India. The freight is too much. We actually want to retire from fossil fuels and switch to solar or gas if possible if Government of India can hand-hold so that Punjab becomes competitive. Otherwise coal is not something Punjab is interested in the medium terms," he said. He also put forth the demand for addressing some of the missing links in infrastructure in the state which would was crucial for connectivity and defence. Badal noted that Punjab was very strong in infrastructure but there were some missing links of 20-30 kilometres for Railways. He also underlined the importance of link between Mohali-Rajpura and Kadian-Beas and the need for taking them on priority. "For defence also it is very important but somehow this has not found favour with Government of India or the Railways but we should consider this," the Punjab Finance Minister said. He also suggested to provide for doorstep delivery of services to the citizens in the Union budget scheduled in February using the digital platform. "I think this will be great equalizer for the rural population," Badal said. Taking part in the high-level meet with Sitharaman on Monday where as many as 15 CMs were in attendance besides deputy CMs and state FMs, Badal made a case for special incentives for Punjab and hand-holding. "If you look at last two decades which are the states which have grown the fastest in India? These are states which have either border with the sea or those states which have been given some special incentives or package. Punjab's biological gene is very strong. People are very hard working, chemistry among its people are very good. But geography has always been Punjab's weak point. This happened in 47, 62, 65,71 and 10 years of terrorism by Pakistan," he noted. UNI NK INGTags: #Punjab FM proposes PLI-like scheme for agri# doorstep delivery of services in meeting with Sitharaman