‘Anti-farmer US deal, misleading MSP claims’: LoP Hooda takes on BJP

Hisar: Former chief minister and leader of opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Tuesday termed the trade deal with the US as "anti-farmer", alleging that it would adversely affect farmers in Haryana.Speaking to reporters after attending a social function hosted by Fatehabad MLA Balwan Singh Daulatpuria in Fatehabad, Hooda said if animal feed is imported from the US, local farmers would suffer heavy losses. He claimed that while the US imposed an 18 per cent tariff on India, it kept tariffs on Bangladesh at zero. This would, he said, particularly impact cotton growers and other farmers.
Hooda alleged that farmers were being treated unfairly under the present govt. "The weight of fertiliser bags has been reduced from 50 kg to 40 kg, but the price remains the same. The claim of providing MSP on 24 crops is misleading, as Haryana does not even grow that many crops," he said.Referring to the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, he claimed that despite over Rs 2,000 crore in profit, the farmers were not receiving adequate compensation. "Not even 10 per cent of the claims were paid so far, forcing people to opt out of the insurance scheme," he alleged.On the issue of pension cuts, Hooda questioned the govt's claim of restoring 70,000 pensions, stating that it contradicted its earlier assertion that no pensions were discontinued. He also alleged that nearly 14 lakh ration cards were cancelled in Haryana after the elections, including 54,000 in Ambala district.Accusing the BJP govt of targeting Congress MLAs to hide its failures, Hooda referred to a recent case involving the Guhla Cheeka MLA and said the govt was misusing FIRs to silence opposition voices. "Malicious action against elected representatives will not be tolerated," he said.Hooda alleged that law and order in the state deteriorated, with rising incidents of extortion, drug abuse and organised crime. He claimed that 50–60 gangs are active in Haryana and said it was imperative to dismantle such networks.He cited a recent murder in Rohtak near the IG's office as an example of the deteriorating situation and alleged that businessmen and doctors are facing extortion threats, while industries are migrating due to insecurity.The leader of opposition said the Congress would bring a special resolution on law and order in the upcoming assembly session and demand answers from the govt. He also compared the current situation to the pre-2005 period, claiming that crime syndicates operating from jails were brought under control during the Congress regime.Caption of photo: LoP Bhupinder Singh Hooda with supporters at a Fatehabad function. MSID:: 128510048 413 |