BKU chief is Punjab Mandi Board head

Chandigarh, Mar 14 (UNI) The Punjab Government today appointed Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, President of the state unit of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) as the Chairman of the Punjab Mandi Board, an official release today stated.

Mr Lakhowal has remained the head of the International Farm Movement of South Asia comprising of more than 70 countries. He had been associated with the various farm movements at the state as well as the national level since 1971.

This is for the first time that a kisan leader has been appointed to this post, which is considered the most important outside the Council of Ministers. In the past political leaders have held this post.

Reacting to his appointment, Mr Lakhowal assured to bring about speedy reforms in the functioning of the Mandi Board in accordance with the needs of the farming community. Appreciating Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal's prime concern for the welfare of the peasantry, he urged upon him to immediately take some remedial measures to bail out the farmers reeling under the burden of debt amounting to Rs 26,000 crore due to the wrong policies of the previous government.

He reiterated that he would continue his struggle for the justified cause of the farmers to ensure them remunerated prices for their produce. He said that the MSP should be linked to the wholesale Price Consumer Index.

UNI