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Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the national capital and conveyed the state government's opposition to the proposed Seed Act, which the Centre plans to table in the upcoming Budget Session to replace the existing 1966 legislation.
After the meeting, he said Punjab, being an agrarian state, must be consulted on any legislation related to seeds and agriculture. "We met with Amit Shah. We have opposed the Seed Act. Punjab is an agrarian state, an agriculture-dominated province. If Punjab is not included in any seed act, regarding what seeds to sow in the land, then how can you make such an act?" CM Mann told ANI. The Chief Minister said Punjab already has its own Seed Act. He also raised the issue of the Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, reiterating the state's long-standing position that there is no surplus water available. Mann further stated that discussions were held on Food and Civil Supplies-related issues, including the procurement of wheat and rice in the coming season. He also raised concerns about the appointment of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) General Manager, noting that the post has traditionally been held by a Punjab officer. "SYL, there is no water. The matter is over. The issue is finished. Regarding the Food and Civil Supplies, we have to supply them with wheat. How to procure in the coming days, how to procure rice, and the FCI GM, who has always been from Punjab, this time, another officer has come. We demanded that someone from Punjab who understands its culture and markets be there," CM Mann said. Moreover, the Chief Minister sought the release of pending Rural Development Fund (RDF) dues, stating that the funds are crucial for developing roads leading to mandis. "The RDF (Rural Development Fund) money, which is now coming in different instalments. The RDF money is for the roads leading to the markets, so release it," he said. On Friday, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan called the proposed Seed Act, 2026, a historic step aimed at ensuring farmers' protection, seed quality and transparency across the system, a release said. Responding to media queries, Chouhan said a nationwide seed traceability system will now be established. "Farmers will now know the complete story of every seed. We have tried to create a system through which it can be known where the seed was produced, which dealer supplied it and who sold it," he said. (ANI)
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