Amritsar: BJP national headquarters in-charge and Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh on Friday met Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, urging him to intervene with the Punjab govt to expedite land acquisition for the proposed Post Graduate Institute of Horticulture Research and Education (PGIHRE) in the holy city.Chugh said the project, approved by the Centre in 2015, has remained stalled because the state govt allegedly failed to complete the acquisition of 30 acres identified for the institute’s administrative, academic and residential infrastructure. He urged the Union minister to take up the matter with the state govt on priority.According to Chugh, 100 acres at Attari village in Amritsar district were transferred to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) during the previous SAD-BJP govt for research purposes. Another 30 acres were subsequently identified for the proposed institute, but their acquisition remains incomplete.He pointed out that a notification under Section 19 of the land acquisition law was issued on March 20, 2023, but the process has not been completed.Citing information shared by Amritsar Vikas Manch, Chugh said an expenditure finance committee memorandum prepared by ICAR during 2016-21 envisaged an investment of Rs 1,700 crore and the appointment of 206 horticulture scientists. The proposed financial provisions and appointments were subsequently kept in abeyance because of the delay in land acquisition.Chugh said the institute could strengthen horticulture research, promote modern farming techniques and provide advanced training to students and farmers, besides creating opportunities to improve farm incomes.He said Punjab’s agricultural potential makes it well-suited to become a major centre for horticulture research and education, adding that a project of such significance should not remain stalled because of administrative delays.Chugh urged the Union agriculture minister to take up the matter with the Punjab govt on priority and ensure that the acquisition of the identified 30 acres is completed without further delay. He said the institute would strengthen Punjab’s agricultural sector and benefit farmers and students.
