CHANDIGARH: Punjab Legislative Assembly Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan, on Thursday, said that non-lifting of rice from Punjab's shellers is deep-rooted conspiracy of the BJP-led union government to undermine the state's farming community.
During his visit to the Tanda Grain Market, S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan said that the union government has failed to ensure lifting of the rice from state shellers and has also been unsuccessful in guaranteeing minimum support prices (MSP), leaving farmers in a state of crisis.
Sandhwan personally supervised paddy lifting operations at the Tanda Grain Market and assured that with the cooperation of farmers, mill owners, commission agents and labourers, no obstacles would be permitted to impede the purchase, lifting and payment process in the Mandis.
"Actually, the union government wants to penalize farmers in the Mandis as retribution for their successful opposition to the three controversial agricultural laws", said the Speaker, advising that instead of engaging in petty political calculations, the union government should acknowledge Punjab's significant contribution to the nation's food security and ensure immediate relief by expediting rice procurement besides lifting of rice from shellers.