Summary:
Neeraj BaggaTribune News ServiceAmritsar, June 18Border area farmers feel that their key demands, ignored by the successive governments, should be addressed by the NDA-II government’s maiden Budget, to be presented on July 5. Sarbjit Singh of Gharinda village said the farmers with their land across the border fence on the international border (IB) are paid Rs 10,000 per acre per annum, which is not enough. Dharmjit Singh of Dhanoa Kalan village said the Union Government allocated funds for development of the border areas under its Border Area Development Programme (BADP). Under the BADP, funds can be used in the area between ranging 10 km from the international border. Border Area Sangarsh Committee leader Rattan Singh Randhawa said there were over three lakh inhabitants residing in 220 villages along the 544-km international border in the state..