Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Chandigarh, In a press statement ex mla Sukhpal khaira said Mr. Badal during the last 10 years of UPA never missed an opportunity to severely criticize the Congress govt. for being anti farmer, has himself miserably failed to ensure smooth procurement of paddy not only for the current season but ever since in power from 2007 onwards, forcing farmers to distress sale besides the harassment.
As we are aware, the NDA govt. may have relaxed moisture content norm from 14%-15% yesterday, but is still adamant to fill 35 kg gunny bags with 37.50 kg paddy in them, creating hurdles for smooth procurement of paddy. As a result, farmers not only have to languish in the Mandi’s for many days, but are also being forced to sell their produce to private millers at lower rates.he added
It is surprising and astonishing that a seasoned and an octogenarian leader like Mr. Badal, has failed to speak up against the repeated anti farmer measures being adopted by the Modi led NDA govt. To begin with, Mr. Badal uttered no word when the Modi govt. offered a meager increase of Rs. 50 per quintal in the MSP of paddy recently. Thereafter, when Punjab faced drought like conditions due to 63 percent deficient rainfall, the Modi govt. played a cruel joke with the farmers offering them Rs. 420 per acre compensation for using diesel run generators to sustain their paddy crop. Similarly, now when the procurement is almost negligent for the last two weeks owing to vague conditions imposed by the NDA govt., Mr. Badal remains a mute spectator. he added
Procurement will continue to be affected, as the 35 kg gunny bags cannot absorb 37.50 kg paddy in them, as being imposed by the central govt. Mr. Badal should press the govt. to revert to the years old practice of 35 kg per gunny back, as the effort to save gunny bags by the BJP govt. only displays its shopkeeper mentality of being “penny wise and pound foolish”.
Therefore, while the Congress demands quick, honourable and smooth procurement of paddy, it dares Mr. Badal to now speak up for the farmers of Punjab and press upon Mr. Modi, to implement the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission and also have the MSP linked to the price index, as often demanded by him and his so called farmer friendly Shiromani Akali Dal.he added
