Punjab CM Asserts Farmers' Issues Are Solely Union Matters
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Chandigarh, Jan 2 (NationPress) Highlighting that all farmers' demands are associated with the central government, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann asserted on Wednesday that the state will challenge any attempts to covertly enact draconian anti-farmers laws.
This was Mann's first media interaction in nearly two weeks, during which he noted that the farmers' protests have been ongoing at the Shambhu and Khanori borders. In January and February of the previous year, farmers' groups engaged in extensive discussions with the Centre, with the state government acting as an intermediary.
He firmly stated that the farmers' demands are mainly directed towards the Union government and that Punjab has no involvement in these matters.
Mann expressed his disappointment, saying, "It is regrettable that after coming to power at the Centre, the Modi-led government has shown no concern for the farmers."
He accused the Union government of attempting to reinstate the black laws through clandestine methods.
Regarding the fast undertaken by farmers' leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, Mann noted that while the fast continues, the Union government remains indifferent, whereas the state has dispatched over 50 doctors to ensure the leader's health.
Mann mentioned that he personally contacted Dallewal to encourage him to conclude his fast, yet the Union government has made no effort to address the concerns of the agricultural community.
He stated that the Union government wants Dallewal and the farmers removed from the protest site, despite the fact that they are not causing any law and order issues.
The Chief Minister expressed his astonishment that the Union government is avoiding dialogue with the farmers and attempting to shift responsibility to the state government.
Instead of addressing the farmers' grievances, he remarked, the Union government "is trying to place blame on the farmers."
Mann pointed out that ironically, rather than resolving farmers' issues, the Union government "is poised to reinstate the draconian laws."
He reiterated that the state government will not endorse this initiative, which is detrimental to Punjab and its farmers, and highlighted that the state is already complying with the Supreme Court's orders to protect the lives of farmers.
