Captain Amarinder Singh in action mode , Punjab Farmers Discontent with AAP Government Over Crop Procurement Failure

Captain in action mode , Punjab Farmers Discontent with AAP Government Over Crop Procurement Failure:

Captain Amarinder Singh Expresses Concern

Chandigarh, October 25, 2024: In a recent visit to Asia’s largest grain market in Khanna, former Punjab Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Captain Amarinder Singh met with farmers and laborers to assess the hardships they are facing due to the lack of crop procurement by the AAP government. Farmers have been expressing growing frustration, particularly over the government’s failure to procure the PR-126 paddy variety, despite assurances. Singh voiced his concern over the AAP administration’s inability to follow through on its promises, resulting in prolonged waiting times and losses for Punjab’s farmers.

Reflecting on the efficient processes during his own administration, Singh said, “During my tenure, farmers never had to stay in the mandis overnight. They brought their produce, which was promptly purchased, and payments were credited to their accounts within a day. Now, farmers are waiting up to 10 days, with crops lying unattended and unsold even at the Minimum Support Price (MSP).”

Singh criticized Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the AAP leadership for their inaction, pointing out that neither Mann nor his food and agriculture minister had visited the mandis to directly address these concerns. Singh stated, “Why is the Chief Minister absent from the mandis? Why are AAP leaders not standing by the farmers who were encouraged to plant PR-126 paddy only to now face procurement hurdles?” Singh attributed the ongoing issue to what he described as Mann’s lack of administrative experience and the AAP leadership’s lack of subject expertise, suggesting they should have sought support from the Central government ahead of the procurement season.

Singh highlighted a distinct contrast with past administrations, noting that his own government, along with former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, regularly sought central assistance to ensure timely procurement and support for Punjab’s farmers. He observed that no AAP representative, including the Chief Minister, ministers, or MLAs, had visited the mandis, marking a stark difference in leadership approaches.

To address the crisis, Singh promised to personally discuss the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Food and Distribution Minister Prahlad Joshi, aiming to expedite a solution. He further noted that while Rs 44,000 crore had already been allocated by the central government for procurement in Punjab, he would appeal for additional compensation for farmers struggling with losses on the PR-126 crop.

Singh dismissed AAP’s allegations of central apathy as baseless, arguing that Punjab has historically functioned with different ruling parties at the state and national levels without facing such issues. According to Singh, the procurement crisis is a clear failure of the AAP government’s policies and planning.

Joining Captain Amarinder Singh during this visit were BJP Punjab Mahila Morcha President Jai Inder Kaur, senior BJP leader Fatehjang Singh Bajwa, District President Fatehgarh Sahib Didar Singh Bhatti, Kamaldeep Saini, Preetpal Singh Waliawal, and Amarinder Singh Dhaliwal, showing unified support for Punjab’s agricultural community.

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