Punjab bandh causes about Rs 100 crore loss to state government

Chandigarh: The Punjab government has reportedly suffered a financial loss of Rs 90-100 crore due to the statewide bandh observed on December 30. The shutdown, called by farmer unions to press for a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) and other demands, brought road and rail traffic to a complete halt from 7 am to 4 pm.

Markets, petrol pumps, vegetable mandis, and other commercial establishments across the state remained closed during this period.

The disruption led to a significant impact on business activities, halting transactions worth thousands of crores. The state government incurred losses primarily from a halt in tax revenues.

Officials reported a loss of Rs 35-40 crore due to the suspension of road traffic, which typically generates Rs 18-20 crore daily from petrol and diesel sales alone.

Likewise, a revenue shortfall of Rs 50-55 crore in GST from other commercial activities added to the overall financial blow.

The bandh was organized by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, who have been staging a prolonged protest at the Khanauri and Shambhu borders since February 13.

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, currently on a hunger strike, has seen his health deteriorate as the central government remains unresponsive to their demands.

Farmer unions intensified their efforts on December 30, urging shopkeepers and traders across Punjab to shut their establishments. As a result, the state came to a standstill, with people taking to the streets in support of the protest.

However, the economic ramifications of the bandh have left both the Punjab government and local traders grappling with significant financial losses.