Now goonda tax being levied from farmers – SAD
Now goonda tax being levied from farmers, says Shiromani Akali Dal
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today said another form of goonda tax had started in Punjab, this time targeted at commission agents and farmers, by forcing them to cough up Rs three to Rs four per bag to shift procured wheat stock to godowns.
Stating this here today, SAD spokesman Parambans Singh Romana said farmers were already in a state of deep stress in mandis because purchase of wheat was being deliberately delayed due to lack of lifting. He said after failing to arrive at a settlement with transport unions to ensure efficient lifting of wheat, Congress politicians who have taken these contracts without having the requisite resources, were forcing commission agents and farmers to pay for this exercise.
Terming this as akin to a forced goonda tax as was being collected from contractors supplying sand and gravel to the Bathinda refinery, Parambans Romana said this was worse. “Congress politicians in Farikdot as well across the Malwa region are sucking the blood of farmers by forcing them to pay for transportation of the wheat procured from them”.
The SAD spokesman said the food and supply department was playing the role of a mute spectator and failing to give any justice to farmers. “This is because like in the case of the goonda tax in Bathinda, Congress politicians are behind the forced collection from commission agents and farmers”. He said the SAD would oppose this tooth and nail and urged commission agents and farmers not to pay this goonda tax. He also demanded wheat be lifted from mandis immediately, saying the entire procurement process had become paralyzed due to mismanagement.
Mr Romana said genuine labour contracts had not been signed by various State procurement agencies due to interference by Congress politicians. He said this had further contributed to the current wheat glut in mandis because the necessary labour has not been engaged to assist in the lifting process. -PTC News
