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Path cleared for unhindered farming along Punjab’s and Pakistan international border, says CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
New Delhi/Chandigarh:
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday announced major relief for farmers in the state’s border belt after the Central Government agreed in principle to shift the Border Security Fence closer to the International Border. The move is expected to enable unhindered cultivation of thousands of acres of farmland currently lying beyond the fencing despite being well within Indian territory.
After calling on Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, the Chief Minister said farmers along the 532-km India–Pakistan border in Punjab have for years faced daily hardship, as the fencing in several stretches lies deep inside Punjab’s land. As a result, farmers have been forced to cross the fence with identity cards and cultivate their own fields under BSF escort.
CM Mann said the Home Minister informed him that the issue is under active consideration and that the fencing will be shifted towards the International Border, bringing Punjab’s land back on the accessible side of the fence without compromising national security. He added that similar realignment has already been attempted in parts of Pathankot.
“In the coming days, Punjab’s farmers will be able to cultivate their land freely, without daily restrictions, escorts or uncertainty. This is a long-pending and justified demand of border farmers,” the Chief Minister said.
Multiple pending Punjab issues flagged
Apart from the border fencing issue, CM Mann raised several long-pending concerns during the meeting, seeking time-bound resolution. These included Punjab’s objections to the proposed Seeds Bill, 2025; the unresolved Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal dispute; slow movement of foodgrains by the FCI; freezing of the Arthia Commission; non-payment of Rural Development Fund (RDF) and mandi fees; and dilution of Punjab’s role in Chandigarh’s administration.
Objections to Seeds Bill 2025
Raising strong objections to the Seeds Bill, CM Mann said Punjab, despite being one of the country’s largest grain-producing states, is not assured representation under the proposed zone-based system in the Central Seed Committee. He said the Bill weakens the role of State Seed Committees, is silent on farmer compensation when registered seeds fail, and allows seed varieties tested abroad to be sold without mandatory multi-location testing under Punjab’s agro-climatic conditions.
“Agriculture is Punjab’s lifeline. Forcing farmers to depend entirely on companies for seeds is neither practical nor in farmers’ interest,” he said, urging that the Bill should not be brought before Parliament in its present form. The Home Minister assured him that Punjab’s concerns would be examined.
Firm stand on SYL and river waters
Reiterating Punjab’s position on river waters, CM Mann said the state has no surplus water to share and that construction of the SYL canal is not viable due to declining flows in the Sutlej, Ravi and Beas rivers. He pointed out that Punjab was allocated only 14.22 MAF out of 34.34 MAF, while states through which these rivers do not even flow were allocated the remaining share. “There is absolutely no question of constructing this canal,” he asserted.
Foodgrain movement, Arthia Commission and RDF dues
Flagging storage concerns, the Chief Minister said FCI’s slow movement of foodgrains is creating space constraints ahead of the next procurement season. He stressed that at least 20 LMT of foodgrains must be moved monthly to ensure national food security.
On the Arthia Commission, CM Mann said it has remained frozen since 2019–20, contrary to provisions of the Punjab Agriculture Produce and Marketing Act, and warned that delay in revising rates could disrupt procurement.
He also highlighted that over ₹9,030 crore of RDF and ₹2,267 crore of market fees are pending despite statutory provisions, severely impacting rural infrastructure. “RDF is Punjab’s rightful share, not charity,” he said, adding that the Home Minister assured a priority meeting to consider release of the first instalment.
Chandigarh administration and FCI posting
CM Mann sought maintenance of the long-standing 60:40 Punjab–Haryana officer ratio in Chandigarh and raised concerns over exclusion of Punjab cadre officers from key departments. He also urged appointment of a Punjab cadre officer as General Manager, FCI Punjab, citing their expertise in procurement and storage.
Border farmers to benefit directly
Highlighting the human impact, CM Mann said that in several areas the fence is located two to three kilometres inside Punjab’s land, forcing farmers to undergo daily security checks to access their own fields. “Realigning the fence closer to the International Border will bring large tracts of land back on this side, allowing farmers to cultivate without fear or daily restrictions, while fully safeguarding national security,” he said.
Calling the development a matter of justice and dignity for border farmers, the Chief Minister said the Centre’s assurance marks a crucial step towards resolving a long-standing grievance of Punjab’s border villages.
