SAD issues ultimatum to Punjab govt to remove hurdles in wheat procurement or face protests
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Saturday issued an ultimatum to the Punjab government to remove hurdles being put in the wheat procurement in the next two days or be ready to face statewide protests.
Former MP Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra said even as wheat procurement in Punjab had started ten days late, it was further delayed due to lack of preparedness on the part of the State government. He said the severe shortage of gunny bags was set to lead to a glut in the ‘mandis’ which were already facing labour problems.
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Shiromani Akali Dal leader asserted that farmers were being forced to wait for long periods in ‘mandis’ to sell their wheat produce. He said that the callous attitude of the Congress government towards the woes of farmers indicated that it was hand in glove with the central government in harassing them.
“Farmers are suffering due to the three hated Agricultural laws. They also faced inclement weather and the Covid pandemic. Now they are victim to the utter insensitivity of the government which has failed to ensure smooth procurement of wheat," he said.
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Adding, he said that "In case the government does not take immediate measures to restore order in the ‘mandis’ we will stage protests keeping in view all pandemic norms.”
Chandumajra also asked Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh to take action against Food and Civil Supplies Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu for failing to place orders for gunny bags in time.
He said Ashu was blatantly lying that orders for used gunny bags were placed late and opened only yesterday because the central government delayed giving permission for the same.
“If this is so how come the Haryana government placed the same tender and even opened it ten days back to corner the lion’s share of used gunny bags available in the market?”, he asked.
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