Pb substituted farm power subsidy with DBT: Mann

Chandigarh: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab president Bhagwant Mann lashed out at the Punjab government on Friday, saying it had substituted farm power subsidy with direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme.
Addressing media here, Mann said the state government’s decision was against the interests of farmers. The AAP MP added the step was an example of backstabbing farmers.He also said that the state government had succumbed to the central government’s pressure and had taken this step to become eligible for taking more loans.
The Punjab government had on May 27 given in-principle approval to a few reforms to make the state eligible to avail additional borrowing of 1.5% of the gross state domestic product (GSDP) amid Covid-19 as directed by the central government. This included formulation of the DBT scheme and its implementation in at least one district by December 31.
Mann also attacked SAD, which is the alliance partner of the BJP in Punjab, for not taking up the issue with the central government of putting such conditions on Punjab government to harass farmers.