Punjab CM Urges for Promotion of Inter-State Trade

Punjab CM Urges for Promotion of Inter-State Trade

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has called for the promotion of inter-state trade within the country to ensure remunerative prices for farmers and the supply of quality products at affordable prices to consumers.

In a meeting with the Chairman and Managing Directors of Mandi Boards from various states, Mann said that all states must join hands to develop a common platform for buying and selling commodities. This, he said, is the need of the hour to safeguard the interests of both consumers and farmers.

Mann said that inter-state trade would ensure the availability of the best products to consumers and remunerative prices for farmers. It would also benefit all sections of society. He stressed that the unnecessary shackles within states regarding the production and marketing of produce should be removed.

The Chief Minister also explained how the state is successfully utilizing the Rural Development Fund for public welfare. However, he expressed concern that a whopping sum of Rs 5637.4 crore of the state’s RDF is still pending with the Union government. He said that despite various efforts, the Union government is not releasing these funds, which is a grave injustice to the state.

Inputs:

• The Chief Minister’s call for the promotion of inter-state trade is a welcome move. It could help to address the issue of low farm prices and make agriculture more profitable for farmers.
• The development of a common platform for buying and selling commodities could also help to improve the efficiency of the agricultural supply chain and reduce costs.
• It is important to note that inter-state trade should be conducted in a fair and transparent manner, with appropriate safeguards to protect the interests of both farmers and consumers.
• The Union government should release the pending RDF funds to Punjab and other states. This would help to boost rural development and improve the lives of farmers and other rural communities.

The benefits of promoting inter-state trade within the country include:

• Remunerative prices for farmers: Inter-state trade would allow farmers to sell their produce to the highest bidder, regardless of their location. This would help to ensure that farmers get fair prices for their produce.
• Supply of quality products at affordable prices to consumers: Inter-state trade would give consumers access to a wider range of products at competitive prices. This would also help to improve the quality of products, as businesses would be incentivized to produce and sell high-quality goods in order to attract customers from other states.
• Improved efficiency of the agricultural supply chain: Inter-state trade would help to improve the efficiency of the agricultural supply chain by reducing costs and delays. This would benefit both farmers and consumers.
• Boost to rural development: Inter-state trade would help to boost rural development by creating new jobs and opportunities in the agricultural and related sectors. This would help to improve the lives of farmers and other rural communities.

In addition to these economic benefits, inter-state trade can also help to promote national integration and understanding. When people from different states trade with each other, they learn about each other’s cultures and traditions. This can help to build bridges between communities and promote a sense of unity and cohesion.