PUNJAB AGRICULTURE MINISTER SLAMS UNION GOVT FOR NEGLECTING FARMERS’ PLIGHT

Chandigarh: Punjab Agricultural and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, on Wednesday, launched a scathing attack at the Centre Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing it of turning a blind eye to the demands and pressing issues faced by agrarian communities across the country. He also strongly condemned the BJP governments’ apathy towards ongoing farmer protests, terming it disrespectful and undemocratic.

In a press communiqué issued here, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian criticised the union government for failing to deliver on crucial promises made to farmers, including doubling their incomes, legal guarantees of the MSP to ensure all produces are procured at the Swaminathan formula and loan waiver. He also urged the Union government to immediately address the farmers’ concerns, implement promised reforms, and prioritise their well-being for the nation’s food security and rural prosperity. An immediate action is imperative to avert further crisis, he added.

Lashing out the BJP led Haryana Government for using police as a tool to stop the peaceful march of farmers to the National capital for their legitimate demands, the Agriculture Minister said that the Farmers are the backbone of our nation, and their despair reflects poorly on the Union government’s commitment to agriculture and rural development. “Farmers are citizens of the country, who have brought green revolution and brim the food stocks of the country. They don’t need to prove them as nationalists and they have every right to hold peaceful protest to raise their genuine demands in the democratic country,” he added.

“The BJP government has conveniently forgotten its promises to farmers and left them grappling with immense challenges. This blatant disregard is unacceptable and unsustainable,” stated S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian.

Highlighting the plight of farmers, he said that the ‘Annadata’ of the nation is struggling with rising input costs, volatile market prices, and inadequate support from the union government is threatening their livelihoods and jeopardising the agricultural sector.

S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government stands firmly by its farmers. He also urged Haryana Government to stop giving step-motherly treatment to the farmers.