Badal blames Congress for poor agri growth in Punjab

Moga, Dec 4 (UNI) Punjab has witnessed stagnation in agriculture with recording a mere only one per cent growth owing to the indifference of the Congress party which has denied due rights to the farmers, Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal said here today.

While addressing 35th Kisan Panchayat of the northern states of India organised by the Punjab unit of the BKU Lakhowal here today, Mr Badal said even though two per cent farmers of Punjab contribute fifty per cent foodgrains for the central pool but they have been always denied remunerative price of their produce by the central government.

He also stressed upon the need to have a rational outlook to discuss the agricultural problems and the economic betterment of the farming community by linking price of produce with price index.

Mr Badal lamented that the fate of the farming community was being decided by the central government, while the states were kept out of the price fixing mechanism.

Saying that if farmers will prosper India will prosper, the CM highlighted various steps being taken by his government for the improvement of the agricultural sector.

A comprehensive programme had been chalked out to improve the soil health of the agricultural land, new varieties of seeds were being provided and new techniques of farming and irrigation were being encourage.

To impart quality education to the children of the poor farmers and land labourers three Adarsh schools in each block of the state were being opened.

He said to improve canal irrigation network in the state a sum of Rs 4,000 crore would be spent and to make Punjab a power surplus state a power plan was meticulously being implemented.

Mr Badal added that 30 per cent subsity would be provided on agriculture machinary for the use of farmers so that they could enhance production through innovative techniques.

Mr Badal lauded the role of Bharti Kisan Union (Lakhowal) for highlighting the problems being faced by the farming community. He also received resolution passed by the 35th Kisan Panchayat for the betterment of the farmers and a memorandum from BKU Punjab unit president and chairman Punjab State Mandi Board Ajmer Singh lakhowal addressed to the Prime Minister for linking the MSP with wholesale price index.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Lakhowal highlighted the various grievances of the farmers caused by the "indifferent attitude" of the Central governments headed by Congress party from time to time.

He also criticised Union government and Punjab Organisation Act, 1966 formation and also pleaded for reducing the interest rate for agricultural debt relief. He also demanded loan demanded physical insurances for the farmers and sought direct subsidy to them.

UNI