In Patiala, Sukhbir slams AAP govt, seeks Rs 50K per acre compensation for farmers

Patiala: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Saturday demanded that chief minister Bhagwant Mann release compensation at the rate of Rs 50,000 per acre for the wheat crop damaged due to the recent hail storm in the Malwa region, as promised to farmers by the Aam Aadmi Party in its 2022 election manifesto.Addressing a massive rally here as part of the party's ‘Punjab Bachao' campaign, Sukhbir said, "Farmers are in distress. I am getting calls from across the state with farmers saying they did not receive a single rupee for damage caused to their paddy crop in the devastating floods last year. Now they are again appealing for compensation for widespread damage to standing wheat crops, especially in Bathinda, Mansa, Fazilka and Sri Muktsar Sahib districts."Sukhbir was accompanied by halka in-charge Makhan Singh Lalka.Emphasising that the AAP govt had given nothing to farmers in the last four years, the Akali Dal leader said, "If nothing else, it should fulfil at least one election promise by releasing compensation to them at the rate of Rs 50,000 per acre."On the difficulties faced by the arhtiya (commission agents) community, which he claimed was part and parcel of Punjab's food grain recruitment process, Sukhbir said, "The SAD stands for restoration of the 2.5% commission on the MSP of wheat and paddy for arhtiyas. This is necessary to cover the rising operational costs of arhtiyas in mandis. I condemn chief minister Bhagwant Mann for failing to take up this issue forcefully with the Centre and ensure justice for the arhtiya community. I assure you that once the SAD forms the govt, we will do our utmost to ensure the restoration of this commission."Sukhbir also criticised the CM for ordering a lathi-charge on farmers who wanted to meet him at Moga on Saturday. "It's clear, the CM is afraid to face the questions of farmers who assembled close to his rally site today to ask him why AAP legislators and leaders stole trolleys of farmers at Shambhu and Khanauri (borders) and why no action was being taken in the matter, besides seeking answers to denial of compensation to farmers for the loss to their standing paddy crop in the devastating floods last year," he said.The senior leader said instead of listening to the farmers, the CM chose the path of a coward by ordering the police to launch a lathi-charge against them.He also alleged that the AAP govt was using the State Roadways buses for ferrying people to its political rallies and that these party rallies were being held at govt expense. "This is a big scam as the AAP is getting payback from the vendors who are from Delhi," Sukhbir alleged.The SAD chief also highlighted that during a recent visit of Bhagwant Mann to his native Satoj village, a complete lockdown was imposed in the area, and even people of several nearby villages were asked to deposit their licensed weapons.Later, replying to a question, he said that while Raghav Chadha was set to part ways with the AAP, many other leaders would leave the party soon. "Everyone realises the AAP is a sinking ship. Even its leaders realise they have done nothing for the people except hoodwinking them," he said.Outlining his vision for Punjab, Sukhbir said the next SAD govt would establish a World Skill University, which would skill one lakh youth every year and have centres in each district.He also announced that all Scheduled Caste, Backward Classes and poor students would be given free education till the graduation level.The Akali leader also announced that a Rs 10-lakh interest-free loan would be offered to youth, besides restarting an expanded Aata Dal scheme and raising old-age pension to Rs 3,100 per month and Shagun allowance to Rs 1 lakh.Sukhbir further announced that govt jobs would be only given to Punjabis, and 75% subsidy would be given to establish dairy and other livestock ventures.MSID:: 130021203 413 |