Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Chandigarh, April 4 : The Shiromani Akali Dal lashed out at the Congress Government for failing to make proper arrangements on time for the procurement season of the Rabi crops and said that this government was least bothered for the plight of farmers.
In a statement released here today, the SAD Senior Vice President and Spokesman Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema said that it was most painful to see that the procurement of wheat has already started from 1st April and wheat arrival has begun in mandis of the state but the government has miserably failed to make proper arrangements for this procurement. He said that government has even failed to complete tender process for lifting of the produce from the mandis and same is the condition of labour contracts.
Dr. Cheema said that it was surprising to see that the Chief Minister Office is issuing press releases on April 3, three days after the procurement has begun that the Chief Minister is visiting the National Capital Delhi for making arrangements for the procurement. He said that had the government been serious on procurement issue, it would have taken action at least 15 days before the beginning of the procurement process. He further said it was also unfortunate that government is silent on arrangements of finances for making payments to the farmers for their produce.
The SAD leader further said that the way the government is moving for making arrangements after the beginning of the season also indicates how it is working on important issues. He said that the government has already backtracked from its promise of full loan waiver of farmers and was now paying only a fraction of their loans.
He said that the truth of this scheme is also visible from the fact that very face of this scheme, 56 year old Budh Singh from Dera Baba Nanak whose pics were used for the scheme was yet to get his share of loan waiver.
The SAD leader urged the government to take the issues concerning the farmers of the state seriously and on priority basis as these were not only farmers of the state but infact food growers of the country.
He hoped that the government will realize its follies on the procurement issue and move faster to save the situation from turning serious due to non procurement and lifting issues.
