Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema unveils NABARD’s State focus paper at Mohali

SAS Nagar (The Uttam Hindu): Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema today unveiled NABARD’s State Focus Paper for 2026-27 during the State Credit Seminar organised by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) at Mohali.

Addressing the gathering, the Finance Minister acknowledged NABARD’s significant contribution towards strengthening Punjab’s economy and accelerating development across key sectors. He stated that NABARD has launched various lending and credit schemes to support growth in agriculture, education, and social sectors in the state.

The State Focus Paper unveiled during the seminar projects a total priority sector credit potential of Rs 3,08,66,614 lakh for Punjab. The projections cover farm credit, agriculture infrastructure, allied and ancillary activities, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), export credit, education, housing, social infrastructure, renewable energy, and other sectors.

Highlighting Punjab’s pivotal role in making the country self-reliant in food production, Minister Cheema said that while the state has significantly contributed to the national food security, it has also suffered depletion of its groundwater resources. He noted that 117 out of 151 blocks in Punjab have been declared ‘dark zones’ due to over-extraction of groundwater.

Referring to the initiatives of the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government, the Finance Minister said efforts are underway to promote canal irrigation and construct small water channels (khalas) to farmers’ fields in order to restore groundwater levels. He urged NABARD to extend greater support towards crop diversification initiatives aimed at conserving water resources.

Reiterating the Punjab Government’s commitment to providing a trader- and investor-friendly environment, Cheema informed that a meeting of top police officials, including district heads, was recently held with the Punjab State Traders’ Commission to send a strong message to anti-social elements and ensure a secure business climate in the state.

Among those present on the dais were B. Ramesh Babu, Chief General Manager, NABARD; Ritu Aggarwal, IAS, Secretary Cooperation; Manohar Lal, General Manager, NABARD; Pankaj Setia, General Manager, RBI Chandigarh; G.K. Negi, Chairman, Punjab Gramin Bank; and Guriqbal Singh, General Manager and OIC, NABARD Haryana. Members of SLBC, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) were also present.

Progressive FPOs, SHGs, and dragon fruit producers were felicitated during the event.