Overview
- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the Union government is considering moving the security fence closer to the India–Pakistan boundary to restore easy access to farmland beyond the current barrier.
- About 45,000 acres across six Punjab border districts lie between the fence and the zero line, where farmers must cross with identity cards under BSF escort; Mann cited sections where fencing sits 2–3 km inside India despite a 150‑metre norm.
- Mann opposed the proposed Seed Bill, arguing it weakens Punjab’s representation, curtails state seed-body powers, lacks a clear compensation mechanism for failed varieties, and allows imports without state-specific multi‑location testing; he said Shah agreed to examine the concerns.
- Flagging storage and procurement bottlenecks, Mann said FCI has moved only about 4–5 LMT of wheat and 5–6 LMT of rice monthly, against a 20 LMT target, and he sought special trains to clear stocks ahead of upcoming procurement cycles.
- He pressed for revising the frozen Arthia commission, clearing roughly ₹8,500 crore in Rural Development Fund dues, maintaining the 60:40 Punjab–Haryana posting ratio in Chandigarh, and appointing a Punjab‑cadre officer as FCI Punjab GM.