Punjab farmers suffer as AAP Government fails to procure crop: BJP leader Capt Amarinder Singh
CHANDIGARH: Former Punjab Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Captain Amarinder Singh today visited Asia's largest grain market, Khanna Anaj Mandi, to assess the ground situation and met with farmers, arthiyas, and laborers. Expressing deep concern over the plight of Punjab's farmers, he lambasted the AAP government for its failure to procure the PR126 paddy variety, leaving farmers in distress.
"The situation is alarming. During my tenure, no farmer had to sleep in the mandi even once. They would bring their produce, it would get procured, and they would get money in their accounts all in one day. Today, farmers are sitting with their crop in mandis for 10 days, and it's not even being procured at MSP, " Captain Amarinder Singh said.
He questioned CM Bhagwant Mann's absence from the mandis, saying, "Why hasn't the Chief Minister visited any mandi even once? Why isn't his Food and Agriculture Minister coming to address the concerns? The government encouraged farmers to sow PR126, but now they're running away from procuring it."
Captain Amarinder Singh pointed out that CM Bhagwant Mann lacks governance experience, and AAP leaders have no expertise. "Before the season began, the CM should have resolved issues by visiting the central government. The AAP government is ruining Punjab due to ego and power struggles."
Highlighting the stark contrast, Captain Amarinder Singh noted, "No CM, minister, or even MLA has visited mandis recently to address these concerns. During my 10-year tenure, we ensured seamless procurement. I fulfilled my CM duties by visiting the center and securing funds. Former CM Parkash Singh Badal also worked tirelessly for Punjab's welfare by engaging with the center when needed."
To ensure quick resolution, Captain Amarinder Singh promised, "I will personally meet with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, Home Minister Amit Shah ji, and Food & Distribution Minister Pralhad Joshi to address this issue, which should have been Bhagwant Mann's responsibility in the first place."
He emphasized that the Centre had already sent Rs 44, 000 crores to the Punjab government for procurement. "I will also urge the Centre government to ensure that arthiyas get compensation for the PR126 crop. How can they pay for the gap from their own pockets?"
"The allegations of Centre's indifference are baseless. Punjab has always had different governments at the Centre and state, but this problem of non-lifting never arose before. It's a clear failure of the AAP government, " he asserted.
Captain Amarinder Singh was accompanied by BJP Punjab Mahila Morcha President Jai Inder Kaur and Senior BJP leader Fatehjang Singh Bajwa, District President Fatehgarh Sahib Didar Singh Bhatti, Kamaldeep Saini, Pritpal Singh Baliawal & Amarinder singh Dhaliwal.