Punjab CM protests special incentives for hill states

Opposing the Centre's decision to extend special incentives to the hill states, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today said he would pursue Punjab's demand for extending similar incentives to the border areas and 'Kandi' (sub mountainous) belt.
Talking to reporters at the Punjab Kala Bhawan after inaugurating a 'Photo Journalists Welfare Association' exhibition here, he said Punjab's Kandi and the border areas also had special problems and deserved to be put at par with the hill states in terms of the incentives.
He said, his government, had earlier also raised the issue with the Centre and would pursue the case even more aggressively now that the decision on the hill states had been taken.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said on Wednesday that industries in the north eastern and Himalayan states will continue to get tax exemption till March 2027, albeit as refund, under the current GST regime which was rolled out on July 1.
In response to a question on the upcoming verdict on Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief Ram Rahim on August 25, the chief minister made it clear that nobody would be allowed to disturb the state's law and order.
He said he had directed the police department to remain alert against any attempt to disrupt peace in Punjab.

"Peace has to be maintained at all costs in order to ensure the state's progress", he added.

Regarding the T Haq Committee findings and recommendations on the crop loan waiver issue, he said he had received the report and would study the same and take appropriate decisions in the interest of the farmers.
The additional loan liability of Punjab government would need to incur in order to repay the loans of the beleaguered farming community, said the chief minister.
Amarinder clarified that no second committee had been formed to examine Justice Narang's report on the sand mining auctions and the allegations against Power and Irrigation Minister Rana Gurjit.
"I've marked the report to the Chief Secretary, who may have involved other officials for studying its findings", he said.

On the speculation of expelled Aam Aadmi Pary (AAP) leader Sucha Singh Chhotepur joining the Congress, the chief minister said while Chhotepur was a good friend they had not met for the past two months.
On the occasion, the chief minister also condoled the death of veteran photographer S Paul, who passed away in New Delhi on Wednesday. A two-minute silence was observed in memory of the award-winning photo journalist.
The 3-day exhibition has 109 photographs of 59 photographers on display. In addition, the exhibition has photographs clicked by Punjab Governor V P Singh Badnore and Amarinder.
Referring to his photographs, the chief minister said he had clicked them in South Africa a long time ago.