Chandigarh, Punjab Congress Ex-Mla Sukhpal Singh Khaira today said that Badal duo’s dream of truck loads of money for Punjab from the Modi government stands completely shattered.
In a press statement released here today, Mr Khaira Said, It appears that the Lok Sabha poll promises of the Badal duo, to bring truck loads of money for Punjab after the formation of Modi government are falling flat on their faces. After the initial snub by Mr. Jaitely Finance Minister, denying a package to Punjab to restructure its Rs. 1,10,000 crore debt, the junior Badal made a substantial climb down from truck loads to small bundles (Panddan) of money, while canvassing in the just concluded Haryana elections.he added
But the latest shocker again from Finance Minister Mr. Jaitely, to first settle the Rs. 45,000 crore dispute over the Cash Credit Limit (CCL) has virtually shattered the dream of the Badal duo of any financial relief from the Modi government. As per reports, the Modi government has once again held back Rs. 3,000 crore payment to Punjab, due to the farmers for the current paddy crop. The Modi government has objected to the diversion of Rs. 2,000 crore central fund for wheat procurement by the Badal government, to fund its populist “Atta-Dal” scheme between 2007-2012. he added
Mr. Jaitely Finance Minister has made it categorically clear to the Punjab government, that it will not release the Rs. 3,000 crore balance CCL, until it clears the Rs. 45,000 crore arrears on account of procurement of crops.he added
Khaira Said , There has been a massive hue and cry by the farmers and commission agents over the delay in payment to them, despite the paddy season having finished long back. The said delay in release of Rs. 3,000 crore CCL to Punjab, is due to mismatch between Punjab’s actual food grain stocks and those projected in the records to the central government.
It has now become a classic case of “Lene ke dene parr gaye” (have to pay instead of receiving) for the junior Badal, who had sold the dream of getting truck loads of money from the Modi government to get votes in Lok Sabha polls.
Farmers are also being harassed due to the inadequate supply of Urea and other fertilizers, required for the sustenance of wheat and sugarcane crops in Punjab. It is surprising to note the stoic silence of the Badal duo over non availability of fertilizers, who missed no opportunity to condemn the Dr. Manmohan Singh government for even the smallest issues of the farmers.he added
Therefore, the Congress chides and dares the Badal duo to issue a white paper on the dispute over the Rs. 45,000 crore CCL. They should also clarify why they misused the Rs. 2,000 crore central grant funds for “Atta-Dal” scheme, that were actually meant for procurement of crops. he added