Punjab BJP Leader Criticizes Bhagwant Mann Government Over Non-Payment of MSP for Paddy
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Chandigarh, Nov 30 (NationPress) The head of the Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Sunil Jakhar, on Saturday encouraged farmers to voice their concerns against the Bhagwant Mann-led state government for not disbursing the minimum support price (MSP) for paddy.
In a message on X, Jakhar expressed that once again, farmers in the state find themselves at a critical juncture due to the ineffectiveness of the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government.
He criticized the government for its failure to implement MSP on paddy, despite the Central government having allocated Rs 44,000 crore for it in a timely manner. He pointed out that farmers have seen a reduction in crop prices ranging from Rs 200 to Rs 350 per quintal.
Jakhar urged the Congress party to advocate for the marginalized sections of society, lamenting that despite the chaos of non-procurement and market non-lifting across the state, the Congress has chosen to remain silent.
"Rather than acting responsibly as an Opposition, the Congress has opted for silence on this pressing issue. It is crucial for someone to advocate for the underprivileged, and now is the moment for farmers to amplify their voices," he stated.
Accusing the government of causing turmoil during the paddy procurement season, Jakhar remarked that the party initially misappropriated Delhi’s funds via a liquor scandal and is now diverting Punjab's resources for its own interests.
He urged farmers to protect their rights, stating that the ‘anndata’ should demand the Punjab government publicly disclose the allocation of the Rs 44,000 crore provided by the Centre for procurement.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have declared plans to march on foot towards Delhi on December 6. This decision follows two previous attempts by farmer groups to reach Delhi on February 13 and February 21, which were thwarted by police.
Farmers have maintained a presence at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders since February 13. The last dialogue with the government occurred on February 18, yielding no resolutions.
During the February 21 protest, a young farmer, Shubkaran Singh, tragically lost his life at the Khanauri border, and many others sustained injuries in confrontations with police.
