Punjab Seeks Special Incentives for Border Districts: Bittu Meets Sitharaman

Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, seeking special incentives for Punjab's border districts similar to Jammu & Kashmir. Bittu advocated for reintroducing the Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme, amending freight subsidies, and reducing GST on bicycles. The meeting also discussed employment and agro-based industries.

Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Ravneet Singh Bittu met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday to seek special incentives for industry and farmers in Punjab’s border districts, following the model of Jammu and Kashmir.

During a marathon meeting, Bittu emphasized the importance of prioritizing Punjab's demands due to its border state status. He specifically demanded incentives for districts such as Amritsar, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, and Tarn Taran to boost investment and create job opportunities, similar to benefits enjoyed by Jammu and Kashmir and northeastern states.

Bittu urged the reintroduction of the Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (CLCSS) with a revised threshold limit due to a lack of support for MSMEs, and suggested raising the limit under the PMEGP. Amendments to freight subsidies to assist Punjab’s MSMEs and discussions on reducing GST on bicycles to 5% were also highlighted. Additionally, he advocated for operationalizing a non-functional refrigeration unit near Amritsar airport and proposed several measures to support the agro-based industry and farmers. Sitharaman assured that Punjab would receive substantial representation in the upcoming budget.