Centre should announce bonus to farmers: Badal

Fatehgarh Sahib, Oct 24 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said the state government could not grant bonus to farmers as it was the ''duty of the Union government to announce the same''.

Responding to a media query on whether his government would follow the example of previous Capt Amarinder Singh-led government which had announced bonus to farmers, Mr Badal shot, ''it was mere announcement but bonus was not given to farmers.'' Interacting with newspersons at Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, the Chief Minister also stressed that there was smooth procurement and proper lifting in grain markets of the state and farmers were getting payment on time.

He said all senior officers have been directed to take stock of paddy procurement arrangements adding that 84 lakh MT paddy had been procured till yesterday and there was 99 per cent lifting in grain markets, while 89 per cent of the payments had been made.

On the visit of former Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh in grain markets, Mr Badal dismissed the former CM's visit and observations as ''made with an objective to gain political mileage''. Earlier, Mr Badal flagged of a Jatha of Baba Mann Singh Pehowale for Hazoor Sahib Nanded to commemorate Gurta Guddi functions.

On the occasion, Baba Mann Singh stated on the stage that he was ''with SGPC and SAD'' .

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