Chandigarh: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan approved nearly ₹100 crore in central funds for Punjab after state Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian raised the state’s demands at the National Agriculture Conference held in Delhi on September 28-29.
Khudian had appealed to Chouhan for the release of funds under the Krishi Unnati Scheme and for a subsidy on wheat seeds. On September 28, Chouhan approved ₹50 crore for Punjab towards the wheat seed subsidy and handed the approval letter to Khudian at the conference, according to the report.
The Centre had not provided a wheat-seed subsidy to Punjab this year under the 2026 self-reliance scheme, which was focused on oilseeds. Khudian specifically requested funds for wheat seeds in Punjab, following which the allocation was approved.
Around 2.5 lakh quintals of certified wheat seed are to be distributed to farmers in Punjab at subsidised rates. The Centre has also released the pending second instalment of the Krishi Unnati Scheme, amounting to ₹43.12 crore. Additional funds for some other activities have also been approved.
The report notes that Chouhan and Khudian share cordial relations, with Chouhan also inviting the Punjab minister to some of his personal and social functions. Their relationship has led to political interpretations in the context of the upcoming elections.
Khudian said he had raised the issue solely in the interest of Punjab’s farming community during the national conference and thanked Chouhan for approving the funds. He described the demand as a legitimate requirement of Punjab.
At the same time, the Punjab government has raised concerns over pending Rural Development Fund payments, alleging that the Centre has not provided a resolution. The state government has also complained that the flood-relief package announced for Punjab by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not been released.
During the conference, Punjab Agriculture Department director Gurjit Singh Brar presented the state’s immediate requirements and priorities. The state also highlighted measures taken for farmers, including free electricity, a 33% subsidy on cotton seeds, the highest sugarcane price of ₹416 per quintal and initiatives for stubble management.