Cong is befooling farmers on agri ordinances: SAD

CHANDIGARH: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday came out in support of three ordinances passed recently by the Centre, saying the ruling Congress in Punjab is befooling the farmers on the issue.

Addressing mediapersons in Chandigarh, the SAD chief said contrary to the rumours being spread by the Amarinder Singhled Congress government the minimum support rice (MSP) and assured procurement of wheat and paddy will not be discontinued.

He criticised the state government for allegedly trying to mislead farmers by issuing a wrong press statement about the allparty meeting held on Wednesday. He clarified that the statement that a resolution was passed by all parties opposing the ordinances is not true.

“It is nowhere mentioned in the ordinances that MSP and assured procurement will end. I assure the farmers that it would continue,” he added.

“It was the Aam Aadmi Party and other political leaders who supported the resolution. We said we are ready to get a written assurance on this from the Union agriculture minister. We even agreed to accompany a delegation to the Prime Minister to clarify the doubts. This was misinterpreted by the government in its press release saying we will accompany a delegation led by the CM to get the ordinances withdrawn,” Sukhbir added.

› It was the Aam Aadmi Party and some other political leaders who supported the resolution. We only agreed to to be part of a delegation to the PM to clarify the doubts. SUKHBIR SINGH BADAL, SAD chief