Overview

• During a June 26 meeting with NITI Aayog delegation led by Ramesh Chand and Sanjeet Singh, Mann sought a special incentive package for Punjab’s six Pakistan-border districts, arguing that concessions to neighbouring hill states have undercut their economy.
• He proposed establishing agro-food processing zones in each border district with an emphasis on basmati rice and horticultural products to revitalize local agribusiness.
• Mann called for central support including Production-Linked Incentive schemes for agriculture, tax benefits for textiles, freight subsidies and subsidized interest rates on term loans and working capital.
• To bolster war-resilience after recent India-Pakistan tensions, the state requested construction of civilian bunkers and development of alternate commuting routes along the border.
• He urged raising farmer compensation for land between the border fence and the international boundary from Rs 10,000 to Rs 30,000 per acre annually fully funded by the Centre.