Congress leaders warn against Indo-US trade, submit memorandum

Chandigarh: Former education minister and Jalandhar Cantt MLA Pargat Singh on Monday led a delegation of Congress leaders to submit a memorandum addressed to the governor through Jalandhar deputy commissioner Dr Himanshu Aggarwal.In the memorandum, Pargat warned that the proposed India-US trade agreement would prove harmful to the farming community. He said allowing foreign agricultural equipment and crops to enter the country at 0% duty would make it difficult for small and medium-scale farmers in Punjab and other parts of India to compete."This decision will ruin the nation's farmers, the majority of whom are small-scale cultivators lacking the resources to compete with global corporations," said Pargat Singh.He demanded that the decision be withdrawn immediately, adding that farmers were already struggling in the aftermath of the earlier farm laws and recent floods.Pargat also criticised the recent action at the residence of MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, describing it as politically motivated. He alleged that the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab govt crossed democratic norms and said the public would respond to the "oppressive tactics".MSID:: 128717300 413 |