Why Shifting the Border Fence Matters for Punjab's Farmers—Explained

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday announced a major relief for farmers in Punjab’s border belt after the Central Government agreed in principle to shift the Border Security Fence closer to the International Border, a move that will clear the way for unhindered cultivation of thousands of acres of farmland currently trapped beyond the fencing. Calling on Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, the Chief Minister said farmers have long been forced to cross the fence with identity cards and under BSF escort to reach their own fields, facing daily hardship and uncertainty along the 532 km India-Pakistan border where fencing lies deep inside Punjab’s territory. He said the Home Minister informed him during the meeting that the issue

is under active consideration and that the fencing will be shifted towards the border, bringing Punjab’s land back on the accessible side without compromising national security.Also Read: 1.5 Lakh Volunteers, 15,000 Villages, One App: Inside Punjab Government’s War on Drugs

Why this matters for Punjab farmers

According to the CM, thousands of acres of agricultural land lie beyond the fence, forcing farmers to show identity cards and cultivate their fields under BSF escort every day. If the fence is realigned closer to the International Border, large tracts of Indian land will come to this side of the fence, and farmers will be able to cultivate without restrictions."Along the 532 km India Pakistan border, fencing is located deep inside Punjab’s territory. As per international norms, construction should be beyond 150 meters of the Zero Line, but in several areas of Punjab, the Border Security Fence is located two to three kilometres inside,” Mann shared.“If the fence is realigned closer to the International Border, large tracts of Indian land will come this side of the fence, allowing farmers to cultivate without fear and daily restrictions, without compromising national security,” he said, adding that the Union Home Minister informed him that the issue is under active consideration and that similar realignment has already been tried in Pathankot.Alongside the border issue, the Punjab CM also raised other concerns, including Punjab’s objections to the proposed Seeds Bill 2025, the unresolved Sutlej Yamuna Link dispute (SYL), slow movement of foodgrains by the FCI, freezing of Arthia Commission, non payment of Rural Development Fund (RDF) and Mandi Fund, and the dilution of Punjab’s role in Chandigarh’s administration, seeking a resolution of these matters.

The Chief Minister pointed out that seed varieties tested and released in foreign countries have been allowed for import and sale in Punjab and other states without compulsory multi location testing under state specific agro climatic conditions, posing serious risks to farmers. He conveyed that agriculture is Punjab’s lifeline, where farmers grow crops, sell part of the produce and retain seeds for the next season, and forcing farmers to depend entirely on companies for seeds is neither practical nor in farmers’ interest and urged that the Bill should not be brought before Parliament in its present form. According to Mann, he was assured by the Union Home Minister that the concerns would be examined.