Punjab’s Agriculture Minister Faces Tough Questions from Farmers
In a recent visit to Gaggar village in the Lambi Assembly segment, Punjab’s Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian was confronted by some farmer leaders who grilled him with tough questions. The minister was visiting the village to address the concerns of farmers, but the meeting turned out to be a heated exchange of words between the minister and the farmers.
According to Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union leader Kala Singh and Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) leader Malkit Singh Gaggar, the minister avoided giving direct answers to their queries. The farmers were upset about the government’s failure to address their long-standing issues, including the debt crisis, lack of procurement of their crops, and the poor condition of irrigation infrastructure.
The farmers pressed the minister to explain the government’s strategy to tackle the debt crisis, which has been affecting them for years. They pointed out that many farmers have been forced to commit suicide due to the heavy burden of debt. However, the minister failed to provide a concrete plan to address the issue.
“We asked the minister about the government’s plan to help farmers pay off their debts, but he didn’t give a clear answer,” said Kala Singh, Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union leader. “He just kept repeating that the government is working to improve the agricultural sector, but he didn’t provide any specific details.”
The farmers also expressed their frustration about the lack of procurement of their crops. They claimed that the government has been failing to purchase their produce at the minimum support price (MSP), leaving them with heavy losses. The minister assured them that the government is committed to procuring their crops, but the farmers were skeptical about the government’s intentions.
“We have been producing crops like wheat, paddy, and cotton, but the government is not procuring them,” said Malkit Singh Gaggar, Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) leader. “The minister just kept saying that the government will procure our crops, but he didn’t provide any timeline or specific details.”
The farmers also raised the issue of the poor condition of irrigation infrastructure in the state. They claimed that the government has been neglecting the irrigation system, leading to crop damage and heavy losses. The minister acknowledged the issue but failed to provide a solution.
“The minister said that the government is aware of the issue and is working to improve the irrigation infrastructure, but he didn’t provide any timeline or specific details,” said Kala Singh.
The farmers’ unions have been demanding a reduction in the electricity bills and a waiver of the electricity dues. However, the minister failed to provide a clear answer on this issue.
“We asked the minister to reduce the electricity bills and waive off the electricity dues, but he didn’t give a clear answer,” said Malkit Singh Gaggar. “He just kept saying that the government is working to improve the agricultural sector, but he didn’t provide any specific details.”
The meeting between the minister and the farmers ended with no concrete solutions to the farmers’ problems. The farmers left the meeting feeling frustrated and disappointed, while the minister claimed that the meeting was a success.
In a statement, the minister said that the meeting was a success and that the government is committed to improving the agricultural sector. However, the farmers’ unions have rejected the minister’s claim and have demanded concrete action to address their issues.
The farmers’ unions have been demanding a reduction in the electricity bills and a waiver of the electricity dues. They have also been demanding a reduction in the interest rates on crop loans and a waiver of the crop loans. However, the minister failed to provide a clear answer on these issues.
In conclusion, the meeting between the Punjab Agriculture Minister and the farmers ended with no concrete solutions to the farmers’ problems. The farmers left the meeting feeling frustrated and disappointed, while the minister claimed that the meeting was a success. The farmers’ unions have rejected the minister’s claim and have demanded concrete action to address their issues.
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