Hooda Accuses Haryana Government of Unjustly Targeting Farmers
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Synopsis
Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda condemned the ruling BJP for their policies that unfairly target farmers, highlighting issues like delayed crop procurement and lack of resources that lead to financial losses for the agricultural community.
Key Takeaways
- BJP's policy against farmers
- Poor crop management leading to financial struggles
- Delays in crop procurement and payment issues
- Lack of resources like gunny bags and lifting arrangements
- Farmers pressured to sell at lower than MSP
Chandigarh, April 1 (NationPress) Veteran Congress figure and former Chief Minister of Haryana, Bhupinder Hooda, stated on Tuesday that the current ruling BJP has adopted a strategy of unjustly targeting farmers in the state.
He pointed out that poor crop management and a blatant disregard for farmers’ welfare compel them to sell their produce at prices below the minimum support price (MSP).
"Each season, there is a conscious delay in initiating the crop procurement process. Furthermore, there is a complete lack of gunny bags in the markets, along with inadequate lifting arrangements, forcing farmers to suffer. They end up waiting for days to sell their harvest. Many have no choice but to sell to private entities at prices significantly lower than the MSP," he remarked in a statement.
Hooda noted that although the government announced the commencement of wheat procurement on April 1, as always, there are issues with tendering for lifting in some areas and a shortage of gunny bags for commission agents.
"Due to the lifting problems, crops consistently accumulate in the mandis," he explained.
"Farmers are left without space to store their harvest. The delays in lifting also postpone payments to farmers. The government intentionally stalls payments amounting to hundreds of crores of rupees. While the government charges interest from farmers for every moment, it fails to compensate them with even a single penny of interest for delayed payments that extend for days and even months," he asserted.
He also criticized the BJP government for ignoring crop purchases and farmers’ needs this time around. "No tenders for lifting have been issued in any market or procurement center in Panipat so far. The market cleaning is also only partially completed. Even the drinking water cooler for farmers is out of order," he concluded.
