The Public Works Department (PWD) is gearing up to initiate work on the four-laning of two important national highways allotted to it by the Union Ministry for Road Transport and Highways.

Disparity between the rural and urban population has widened further in the state. The income distribution has become more skewed.

State to benefit as Centre plans to hike its share

The Union Government proposes to reward states that levy charges for canal water supply to the farm sector. Official sources said that the Centre would contribute an equal amount to what would be collected by the state government as water charges from the farmers. Punjab is one of the states that provide canal water free of cost to the farmers. Earlier, the state government used to levy “abiyana” on the farmers but it was abolished some years ago.

Temperatures will rise, farm production will be hit

Ready with its action plan on climate change, the authorities concerned have projected an increase in the annual mean maximum temperature of the state by 1.0 to 1.8 degree Celsius from 2021-2050, adversely affecting agriculture production. Already, discussions have begun on the draft action plan prepared by the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology under the guidance of a steering committee headed by the Chief Secretary. “We are in the process of fine-tuning various aspects of the report,” said Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary, Science and Technology.

The state government is ready with the draft of the Contract Farming Act that will be discussed at a Cabinet meeting here on December 8, say sources.

It is time the government stopped treating environment as a soft subject. The health of the people and future growth of the state depend on it.

Punjab is heading towards record production of wheat this season. Reports emerging from Malwa, Majha and Doaba regions have clearly indicated that the state