Not declared candidate yet, Harsimrat already in poll mode ‘Give farmers production subsidy in line with industry’
BATHINDA : Even as Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is yet to announce her candidature from Bathinda Lok Sabha segment, Union food processing minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal has virtually started campaigning here. She has already held a series of meetings with party workers of different assembly segments under the Bathinda parliamentary constituency.
On Wednesday, she, along with SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, held meetings with party workers of Bathinda (urban), Bathinda (rural) and Bhucho assembly segments. On December 25 -26, Harsimrat and Sukhbir Badal had held meetings with party workers in Maur, Mansa, Sardulgarh and Budhalada assembly segments.
Both are giving a patient hearing to the grievances of party workers and boosting their morale. Harsimrat has already rubbished the murmurs of her contesting from Ferozepur par- liamentry segment, saying that her political opponents are spreading such rumours. She had said she had ensured allround development in her segment and there was no reason to shift segment. The minister, however, also said she will follow the party’s decision.
When Sukhbir was asked about the announcement of SAD candidates for Lok Sabha polls, he said candidates will be announced after core committee meeting. On Harsimrat’s segment, Sukhbir said the core committee will take a decision. BATHINDA : Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal said that central government should give production subsidy to farmers on the pattern of investment subsidy being given to the industry.
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Sukhbir said he has already made a request to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for introducing the concept of production subsidy for farmers.
“Farmers have no control over inputs such as fertilisers and pesticides but their output is fixed as per norms. This creates a dichotomy that should be addressed by granting them an annual subsidy,” he said.
He said Captain Amarinder Singh had given a signed affidavit to farmers, promising complete waiver of farm loans if elected to power.
“People elected Captain Amarinder to power but he did not honour his promise. This amounts to cheating and a case under Section 420 the Indian Penal Code (IPC) should be registered against him.”
Sukhbir said a similar affidavit had also been given to the youth regarding free smartphones, a promise not fulfilled.
He termed the decision of Centre to provide 10 per cent reservation to economically weaker sections of general category as a historic step.
He urged PM Modi to announce special package to farmers, farm labourers and small traders. He said Capt Amarinder should tell had he asked Congress president Rahul Gandhi to expel the “perpetrators” of 1984 genocide Jagdish Tytler and remove Kamal Nath as chief minister of Madhya Pradesh.
Union food processing industries minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal said Captain Amarinder was trying to befool Punjabis by saying that central funds had not been received to start work on the Kartarpur Corridor.
She said Union minister Nitin Gadkari had already made it clear that funds will be released once the Punjab government acquired land for the same. “If Punjab government does not acquire land then it can’t blame the Centre for its failure,” she said.
HARSIMRAT RUBBISHES RUMOURS OF HER SHIFTING TO FEROZEPUR