Implement Swaminathan report in toto, says Harsimrat Kaur Badal
Chandigarh, August 2: Participating in the discussion on price rise in parliament, Shiromani Akali Dal leader and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Badal slammed the NDA government for playing politics on this issue. The SAD leader said that the union government was rubbing salt in the people's wounds by claiming that prices of key items had not risen since the poor were receiving free rations.
She further said the truth is that this was being done at a terrible cost, adding: “The country has witnessed a 100% increase in the prices of diesel, fertiliser and pesticides in the last eight years. In stark contrast, farmers have been given a two percent increase in MSP. This has had a catastrophic effect on both the farming community as well as the common man as prices of all essential commodities have gone through the roof”.
The Bathinda MP went on to say that the BJP had claimed in 2015 that it would double farm income.
"It's been eight years now. Farmers' income has fallen in real terms. Instead of facing this reality, the government is trying to avoid it," she added. She further demanded that the C-2 plus 50 percent profit formula listed in the Swaminathan report should be implemented immediately.
The Shiromani Akali Dal leader further noted that it was unfortunate that the farmer, whose produce had been used to feed the poor, was suffering in this manner, citing Punjab as an example of farmers suffering from floods as well the aftereffects of counterfeit seeds. "The cotton harvest has failed in Punjab for three years in a row, but no action has been taken against the firms or officials involved," she continued.
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Harsimrat Kaur also urged the Centre to make MSP for crops legal, as promised on December 9, 2021, when the Kisan Andolan was lifted. "The Centre promised in writing that a committee would be constituted to ensure farmers can claim MSP as their right." However, the Committee constituted in this context has been assigned the sole task of making MSP more effective and transparent." She also blasted the government for appointing 26 members to the Committee who were supporters of the now repealed agricultural laws. "It's all a cruel joke on farmers," she added.
She also expressed disappointment that the government had delayed discussion on the critical issue of rising prices for two weeks, despite the fact that it was the top priority in the all-party meeting conducted prior to the parliament session. She stated that the situation was such that farmers and the poor did not have the means to get a proper education or even medical care. She urged that the government take immediate action to address the situation.
The Bathinda MP further urged that farmers and the common man not be exploited as political pawns, citing how the Congress party promised farm debt waivers and 'ghar ghar naukari' to assume power in Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
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-PTC News
