Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
After talks with Amit Shah; CM Mann announces big relief for border belt farmers
Babushahi Bureau
New Delhi, January 18, 2026:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday announced a significant relief for farmers living along the state’s border belt, stating that the Central Government has agreed in principle to shift the Border Security Fence closer to the International Border.
The move is expected to pave the way for unhindered cultivation of thousands of acres of agricultural land currently lying beyond the fence.
After meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, the Chief Minister said that farmers along the 532-km India–Pakistan border have for years faced severe hardships, as large stretches of fencing are located deep inside Punjab’s territory.
As a result, farmers were forced to cross the fence daily with identity cards and under BSF escort just to reach their own fields.
CM Mann said the Union Home Minister informed him that the matter is under active consideration and that the fencing would be shifted towards the border, ensuring that Punjab’s land comes back on the accessible side without compromising national security. He added that similar realignment has already been implemented on a pilot basis in Pathankot.
“This decision will bring huge relief to border farmers. In the coming days, they will be able to cultivate thousands of acres of land freely, without fear, restrictions or daily inconvenience,” the Chief Minister said.
During the meeting, CM Mann also raised several long-pending issues concerning Punjab, including strong objections to the proposed Seeds Bill 2025, the unresolved Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal dispute, slow movement of foodgrains by the Food Corporation of India (FCI), freezing of Arthia Commission, non-payment of Rural Development Fund (RDF) and Mandi Fund, and dilution of Punjab’s administrative role in Chandigarh.
Expressing concern over the Seeds Bill 2025, the Chief Minister said Punjab, being one of the country’s largest grain-producing states, has not been assured adequate representation in the Central Seed Committee under the proposed zone-based system.
He warned that the Bill weakens the role of State Seed Committees and lacks a robust compensation mechanism for farmers in case of seed failure.
He also cautioned against allowing foreign-tested seed varieties for sale without mandatory multi-location testing under Punjab’s agro-climatic conditions, stating that such provisions could put farmers at serious risk. The Union Home Minister assured that Punjab’s concerns would be examined before the Bill is brought to Parliament.
Reiterating Punjab’s firm stand on river waters, CM Mann said the state has no surplus water to share and that construction of the SYL canal is neither viable nor in Punjab’s interest. He termed the existing allocation of river waters as a “gross injustice” and said Punjab’s position before the Supreme Court remains unchanged.
On foodgrain management, the Chief Minister highlighted slow movement by FCI, warning that inadequate storage space could affect both Kharif Marketing Season 2025–26 and the upcoming Rabi Marketing Season 2026–27. He urged the deployment of special trains to clear stocks in the interest of national food security.
Raising the issue of Arthia Commission, CM Mann said it has been frozen since 2019–20, contrary to statutory provisions, and warned that continued delay in revision could disrupt the procurement process.
He also demanded immediate release of pending RDF and Market Fees, amounting to over ₹11,000 crore, which are crucial for rural infrastructure development.
On administrative matters, the Chief Minister stressed the need to maintain the long-standing 60:40 ratio of Punjab and Haryana officers in Chandigarh and sought appointment of a Punjab cadre officer as General Manager, FCI Punjab, citing operational efficiency and experience.
Concluding on the border issue, CM Mann said realignment of the fencing will restore access to Indian land lying beyond the fence and allow farmers to cultivate without daily restrictions, while fully safeguarding national security.