The state has a robust 5,000 kilometres of extensive canal network

In Punjab, 70 to 80% of the farmers fall in the category of small and medium farmers, with five acres or less land. Agriculture is the only livelihood for these farmers

The Madhya Pradesh government had announced a bonus of Rs 150 over and above the MSP

Owing to arrival of the new wheat crop in western states, prices of the commodity have started falling. In Madhya Pradesh, set to be the largest wheat producer in a year, prices have fallen to below the minimum support price (MSP). Farmers in the state are selling wheat at Rs 1,350 a quintal, against the MSP of Rs 1,500 a quintal.

The decision of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to bring in mandatory certification of steel and steel products has left small and medium business outfits engaged in steel re-rolling and induction furnaces in Punjab under stress.

The guideline was implemented from September 12 and all units have to conform to the new norms within 45 days. According to the BIS guidelines, all manufacturers, foreign and domestic, are disallowed to manufacture, import, store for sale or distribute steel and steel products that do not conform with the standards and which do not bear the standard ISI mark of BIS, which is allowed upon being granted a certification marks licence.