Farmers Movement Archive

Badal not concerned about farmers, alleges Punjab CM

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Monday accused Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Badal of shedding crocodile tears over the plight of the farmers, whose very existence, he said, has been threatened by the farm ordinances passed by the Central government with the support of his party. Mr. Badal, on the other hand, asked the CM to accompany him and the farmers’ organisations to seek a blanket assurance on the Minimum Support Price and marketing from the Central government. “Having given its full backing to the ordinances, the SAD had lost locus standi to even pretend to care about the farmers,” said Captain Amarinder. “Sukhbir should not forget that as a Union Minister, his wife Harsimrat Kaur Badal was part of the Cabinet meeting that stamped its approval on the ordinances that will destroy Punjab’s farming community.” Against federal structure He said the SAD president’s offer to lead a farmers’ delegation made it evident that he was totally disconnected from the ground situation. The Chief Minister said the ordinances, that were against the federal structure, were in line with the recommendations of the Shanta Kumar committee, which had also suggested dismantling the MSP structure. The inference was logical that the MSP elimination would soon follow, he said. Accusing the SAD of adopting double standards, he asked, “Why was Sukhbir not withdrawing his party’s support to the BJP-led government at the Centre if he was really concerned about the farmers?” Hitting back at Capt. Amarinder, Mr. Badal said, “Your lies on the MSP have been exposed by the Centre. It had announced that the MSP and assured marketing will remainin their present form... you should accompany me to get an assurance from the Union Agriculture Minister.”

The Hindu

2020-07-21

CHANDIGARH