Punjab sets up board for agriculture, horticulture promotion
Darpan News Desk IANS, 16 Aug, 2021 12:12 PM
Chandigarh, Aug 16 (IANS) To promote agriculture and horticulture in the state by boosting the crop diversification programme, the Punjab cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, on Monday approved the merger of Punjab Agro Juices Ltd (PAJL) with the Punjab Agri Export Corp Ltd (PAGREXCO).
The Cabinet approved the proposal of the Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Department for the merger as per the recommendations of the Board of Directors of PAGREXCO and PAJL and the officers' committee headed by the Chief Secretary.
The merged entity would be called Punjab Agri Export Corp Ltd, an official spokesperson said after the Cabinet meeting, which also authorized the Managing Director, Punjab Agro Industries Corporation Ltd (PAIC), to perform all such acts and deeds which are necessary for the implementation of the merger scheme and to make the merger scheme effective.
The merger would lead to better utilisation of resources of the PAJL with the PAGREXCO, creation of synergy, better economies of scale, expansion of operations, stronger farmer connect with forward and backward linkages, common branding and marketing to have a better consumer outreach, which will ultimately benefit the farmers and the agriculture sector of the state.
As per the merger terms and conditions, the new entity is envisaged as a company, and the entire decision making would be vested in the Board of Directors.
The Chairman of the merged entity will be an eminent horticulturist with experience in agribusiness.
The Board of Directors shall be appointed based their professional competencies from the areas of horticulture, marketing, finance, etc.
Urging the police personnel to exercise maximum restraint in the difficult situation, the Chief Minister asked them to find more compassionate ways of handling curfew violations, especially in cases of individuals found moving out for essentials.
A 63-year-old woman from Kangra who failed to disclose her travel history following her return from Dubai and was later tested positive for COVID-19 has been booked under Section 270 of the IPC, which carries a maximum imprisonment of upto two years.
In an unprecedented incident, a Mumbai man allegedly killed his younger brother for trying to step out of home during the ongoing 21-day lockdown period, police said here on Thursday.
"I hereby donate an amount of Rs 5,00,000/- each (Rs five lakhs) towards the "Chief Ministers Relief Fund" for the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to fight against COVID-19," she tweeted.
The Scitech Airon Ionizer is described as one of the most compact, effective and cheapest in the world for similar products, according to the scientist.
