Partap Singh Bajwa (file photo)
By Raju William
New Delhi, April 21, 2020: Congress member of Rajya Sabha from Punjab, Partap Singh Bajwa, has written to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to release Rs. 4,386.37 Crore that is due towards Punjab to aid its fight against COVID-19.
In his letter to the PM, Bajwa pointed out that the Centre owed this amount to the state government as GST compensation as he urged the PM to release this amount at the earliest.
The MP also mentioned that Punjab has revised its revenue receipts to Rs. 66,000 Cr. for FY21, which is lower by Rs. 22,000 Crore than what was projected before the deadly virus bared its fangs. “This loss in revenue is due to the national lockdown,” maintained Bajwa.
Given these circumstances, the Congress MP called upon the Centre to create an economic stimulus plan for the state at the earliest without which, he added, the adverse economic impact of COVID-19 should be expected to last far longer.
Bajwa urged the PM to accept the request of the Punjab Chief Minister for releasing Rs 729 Crore for the purpose of upgrading the quality of healthcare infrastructure in the state immediately. He also requested the PM to create an Advanced Institute of Virology in Punjab, which would cost the Centre approximately Rs. 400 Crore. The Chief Minister has already promised to provide land for the same.
Lastly, the MP requested the Centre to waive GST on all medical equipment used to combat COVID-19. He pointed out that in the prevailing difficult time, the Government should be looking to ease the burden of the common man by ensuring availability of low cost medical equipment.