Cong, Akali MLAs spar over MSP, procurement
Since we took over in March 2017, we have been able to check distress sale by farmers, something that was rampant during the SAD-BJP government. HARMINDER SINGH GILL, Cong MLA
CHANDIGARH:The MLAs of the ruling Congress and the SAD-BJP coalition on Wednesday sparred over the procurement of foodgrains and the minimum support price (MSP) given to farmers during the previous and the current regimes while discussing the governor’s address on the opening day of the budget session on Tuesday.
“Since we took over in March 2017, we have been able to check distress sale by farmers, something that was rampant during the SAD-BJP government. The middlemen, who were Akalis’ goons, used to force the farmers to sell their produce at lesser price and then claimed the minimum support price (MSP) from the government agencies,” said Congress MLA Harminder Singh Gill.
The previous government offered MSP applicable on coarse variety of paddy on the 1509 variety of basmati, he said.
“The then food and civil supplies minister Adaish Partap Singh Kairon procured large quantities of 1509 variety at cheaper price and then sold it at much higher value. It shows the intent of the Akalis who don’t want farmers to get good price for their produce,” Gill said.
Reacting to this, the Akali MLAs said during the Congress government, the farmers’ produce was procured at lesser price as the procurement agencies imposed huge cuts on payments.
SAD MLA Harinder Singh Chandumajra said because of Congress’ pre-poll promise of a complete debt waiver the farmers stopped paying their loans not realising that once the party assumes power it will renege on its assurance.
“Now, the banks are after the farmers’ life to return their loans and government is not waiving their debt. Moreover, the government imposed a burden of ₹2,500 crore by increasing power tariff of rural households,” he said.
He claimed that the state government misinterpreted the National Green Tribunal (NGT)’s orders. “The tribunal had asked the state to help farmers get machines for in-situ paddy stubble management but when machines were given on central subsidy their prices were increased,” he said.
PASS RESOLUTION FOR SGPC POLLS: PHOOLKA
Dakha MLA HS Phoolka asked the House to pass a resolution for conducting the elections of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhalk Committee (SGPC). In a communication received from the Prime Minister’s office, the elections are due since December 2016 and the Centre is in process of appointing chief commissioner for gurdwara elections, he said.
“We must take up this issue and pass a unanimous resolution asking the Centre to conduct the polls and a date be announced for this. Chief commissioner be appointed at the earliest so that the process could begin,” said Phoolka speaking during debate on the governor’s address.
He asked CM Amarinder Singh to take up the matter with Union home minister calling it a state issue on which the government can take action.
‘TABLE NAKODAR SACRILEGE REPORT’
Phoolka also demanded tabling of the Justice Gurnam Singh Commission report on sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib that took place in Nakodar in 1986. Reacting to it, parliamentary affairs minister Brahm Mohindra said the report was tabled in 2001, to which Phoolka said that commission report without action taken report has no meaning.
The Dhakha MLA also demanded custodial interrogation of the accused in the Bargari firing case as the government assured during the previous session in the House.