Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced a significant decision by the Union government to shift the India-Pakistan border security fence closer to the International Border (IB) in Punjab. This major development followed a meeting between CM Mann and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Saturday, January 17, 2026. The primary objective of this move is to provide substantial relief to thousands of farmers in Punjab whose agricultural land currently lies beyond the existing border fence. These farmers have long faced considerable hardships, being forced to cross the fence with identity cards and under the escort of the Border Security Force (BSF) to access their fields, often with restricted timings. According to CM Mann, the Centre's agreement, which is in principle and under active consideration, will clear the way for unhindered cultivation of approximately 20,000 acres of farmland that are currently trapped between the fence and the actual International Border. He highlighted that, as per international norms, construction should be beyond 150 meters of the Zero Line, but in many areas of Punjab, the fence is located two to three kilometers inside Indian territory. Besides the border fencing issue, CM Mann also utilized the meeting to raise several other long-pending concerns pertinent to Punjab. These included strong objections to the proposed Seeds Bill 2025, which he argued does not assure adequate representation for Punjab and curtails the powers of the State Seed Committee. Other issues discussed were the unresolved Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) 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 the dilution of Punjab's role in Chandigarh's administration. The Chief Minister sought a prompt and time-bound resolution to all these matters.