DAIRY DEAL: PUNJAB TO SUPPLY SAHIWAL BULLS TO KERALA IN RETURN TO GET HIGH-YIELD SEMEN OF HF & MURRAH

• Collaboration will act as bridge between strengths of North & South India in animal husbandry sector, says Gurmeet Singh Khudian

Chandigarh, September 25: In a bid to enhance livestock productivity and farmer prosperity, the Punjab and Kerala have forged a historic partnership to boost livestock productivity, leveraging each state's unique strengths in animal husbandry. This strategic collaboration involves exchanging high-quality genetic material, with Kerala is procuring Sahiwal breed bulls from Punjab. In return, the Punjab would import Holstein Friesian (HF) and Murrah bull semen from Kerala. Punjab has placed an initial order to purchase 30,000 doses of HF semen and 60,520 doses of Murrah buffalo semen from Kerala Livestock Development Board.

The decisions to collaborate on livestock development was taken during a high-level meeting between Punjab Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian and Kerala's Minister for Animal Husbandry and Dairying Development, Smt. J. Chinchu Rani, at the Punjab Civil Secretariat.

S. Khudian informed that Punjab and Kerala have agreed to collaborate on advanced reproductive technologies to enhance livestock development. This partnership includes joint initiatives on cutting-edge scientific programs such as Embryo Transfer (ET) and In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) to accelerate breed improvement. Additionally, both states will work together on Genomic Selection and Breeding Value Estimation at the laboratory level to develop superior livestock genetics. This collaboration aims to leverage science and technology to improve livestock quality and productivity in both states, he added.

To enhance knowledge and capacity building, Punjab Animal Husbandry Minister said that the partnership between Punjab and Kerala will prioritise human resource development through exchange programs for veterinarians, scientists and trainees. This initiative will facilitate capacity-building and training programs, fostering skill development and expertise sharing between the Punjab Livestock Development Board (PLDB) and the Kerala Livestock Development Board (KLDB).

Smt. J. Chinchu Rani said that Kerala is eager to learn from Punjab’s experience while sharing our own advancements. This collaborative spirit will pave the way for a more resilient and profitable dairy sector in both states, ensuring sustainable income growth for our farming communities.

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Kerala Minister Lauds Punjab’s Progressive Horticulture Model*

Kerala Government Delegation Meets Punjab Horticulture Minister Mohinder Bhagat

Chandigarh, September 25-A high-level delegation from the Kerala Government called on Punjab Horticulture Minister, Mr. Mohinder Bhagat, at Punjab Bhawan, Chandigarh, yesterday evening. The delegation was led by Kerala Agriculture Minister, Mr. P. Prasad, and included Mission Director (Horticulture) Mr. Saji John and Chairman, State Agricultural Price Board, Dr. P. Rajasekharan. The delegation highly appreciated Punjab’s progressive horticulture model.

During the interaction, Cabinet Minister Mr. Mohinder Bhagat informed the delegation that under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the state is working rapidly to promote crop diversification and enhance farmers’ income. He explained that the government is providing farmers with extensive technical knowledge and subsidies. He further informed that horticulture is being undertaken on nearly 5 lakh hectares in Punjab, significantly contributing to the consistent growth of farmers’ earnings.

Sharing future plans, Mr. Bhagat said that the Punjab Government is strengthening fruit and vegetable processing units to ensure better market value for farmers. He added that new cold storages, value addition centres, and agro-processing clusters are being established.

Kerala Agriculture Minister, Mr. P. Prasad, said that Punjab’s progressive initiatives for farmers are commendable and described Punjab’s horticulture model as a roadmap for other states. Highlighting his own state’s horticulture sector, Mr. Prasad said that nearly 22 lakh hectares in Kerala are under horticulture, with banana, coconut, spices, and vegetables being the major crops. He also extended an invitation to Minister Bhagat to participate in Kerala’s international agriculture fair “Vaiga.”

As a gesture of goodwill and cultural exchange, Minister Mohinder Bhagat presented Punjab’s traditional Phulkari to the Kerala Agriculture Minister, while Mr. Prasad gifted a traditional Kerala snake boat and dhoti to Mr. Bhagat as souvenirs. Both sides expressed their commitment to inter-state collaboration in the field of horticulture.

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Infosys Ltd to invest Rs. 300 Crore in Mohali, Says Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora

This will lead to generate employment opportunities for 2500 Punjabis

Chandigarh, 25 September 2025:Aiming to further boost Punjab’s industry and commerce and making the high economic growth trajectory of the state under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister,Punjab S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Cabinet Minister Sh. Sanjeev Arora informed that Infosys Ltd. will invest Rs. 300 crore approx. in Mohali to further expand their business. This will lead to generate employment opportunities for 2500 persons and 210 persons will get the benefit of indirect employment opportunities.

Cabinet Minister Sh. Sanjeev Arora disclosed that Infosys Ltd has had a presence in Mohali since 2017, and currently, approximately 900 employees are working from this location. To broaden its business footprint and effectively leverage the local talent pool, the company is strategically expanding its operations in a phased manner, ensuring sustainable growth and deeper regional engagement.

He said that in Phase 1 Plan, Infosys Ltd will broaden office space & other ancillary buildings with a total built-up area of 300,000 sq.ft. The estimated completion timeline is 3 years from the date of obtaining all necessary approvals. This building will be environment friendly and certified as leed platinum status, which is a highest status given to this building. Its construction work will be commenced on 5 Nov an auspicious day of Gurpurab.

Similarly, he said in the Phase 2 Plan, Firm will expand office space & other ancillary buildings with a total built-up area of 480,000 sq. ft. The estimated timeline for completion is 5 years, commencing after the successful completion of Phase 1 and upon receipt of all necessary regulatory and statutory approvals.

Infosys Ltd. sincerely thanked the Government of Punjab, Invest Punjab and GMADA for all the support extended towards implementation of the prestigious project at Mohali and said that we will remain committed to achieving the proposed development.

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OTS policy aims to reinvigorate sick rice mills for generating optimum employment avenues: Lal Chand Kataruchak

Lead towards accelerating lifting of Paddy from mandis during Kharif Marketing Season

Chandigarh, September 25:The Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann stands fully committed to safekeep the interests of every stakeholder connected with the procurement process. The rice mill owners too are an important part of the procurement operations.

It was keeping in view this aspect, the Punjab Cabinet yesterday gave nod to the One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme 2025 for the rice millers.

Disclosing this here today, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said that till 2024-25, a total of 1688 millers owe Rs. 12000 crore to the State Government which includes interest to the tune of Rs. 10000 crore and Rs. 2181 crore as principal amount. Under the new OTS policy, the millers need to pay half the Principal amount.

The defaulter miller can apply their case on the Anaaj Kharid portal within one month of the notification. They can either promptly pay the recovery amount or exercise the option of paying recovery amount in lump sum manner in one month or in 3 monthly installments.

Divulging more, the Minister revealed that

each miller is bound to settle its account with each State Procurement Agency after the milling period is over so that such miller may be considered for the allotment of paddy for custom milling of the next year. Some rice mills over the years have not deposited their outstanding dues due to which these millers have been declared defaulter and legal/arbitration proceedings have been initiated against such millers. Such proceedings have been pending with various Courts/Legal forums since the last many years.

The new OTS has been introduced to minimize the litigation cases of all the agencies, settlement of the cases under the policy so that sick rice units are functional again and revival of industrial units to create more employment opportunities in the State. Likewise, it will also act as a catalyst for smoother and expedite lifting of the paddy from the mandis during the KMS's to benefit the farmers.

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29 MORE ATMs TO BE INSTALLED IN MANDIS TO BRING BANKING AT DOORSTEP OF FARMERS: HARCHAND SINGH BARSAT

SAYS, COMMITTED TO ENHANCE REVENUE OF PUNJAB MANDI BOARD

MULTIPLE AGENDAS APPROVED DURING BoD MEETING

"ROBUST ARRANGEMENTS IN STATE MANDIS FOR ONGOING PADDY PADDY PROCUREMENT SEASON"

Chandigarh/ SAS Nagar, September 25:As part of the revenue generation efforts, Punjab Mandi Board would install 29 more ATMs across 14 districts, bringing banking facilities right to the doorstep of farmers within mandis. Notably, four ATMs have already been functioning in grain markets of Patiala and Jalandhar districts.

Chairing the Board of Directors (BoD) meeting at the head office in Mohali, Chairman S. Harchand Singh Barsat said these ATMs are proving highly beneficial for farmers and the general public by ensuring easy access to banking services, saving time and effort while also augmenting the revenue of the Punjab Mandi Board.

The Chairman informed that during the meeting, detailed deliberations were held on various key agendas concerning the Board and several important decisions were approved with a resolve to implement them at the earliest. He added that special focus was laid on ongoing measures aimed at increasing the revenue of the Board, which include installation of unipoles, e-auction of vacant plots and developmental works across mandis to facilitate farmers, commission agents, labourers and the public at large.

Reiterating the State government’s commitment, S. Barsat said that under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is determined to purchase every single grain of farmers’ produce. He mentioned that for the ongoing Kharif procurement season 2025-26, the State has set up 1822 procurement centres with comprehensive arrangements including cleanliness, electricity, drinking water, washrooms, sheds and seating to ensure smooth operations for farmers, commission agents and labourers.