Don’t rush through farm ordinances, SAD urges Centre

CHANDIGARH : The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Saturday appealed to the central government not to present the three agricultural ordinances for approval in Parliament till grievances of the farmer unions and farm labourers are addressed.

This was decided in a meeting of the SAD core committee presided over by party president Sukhbir Singh Badal in Chandigarh. In a press release, the core committee said the party leadership met farmer organisations besides representatives of farmers and farm labourers in the last few days.

“We also held discussions with farm experts and grassroot party workers to take their views on the issue. A considered opinion has emerged that the Centre should not rush through the three ordinances till the apprehensions were not addressed,” the committee said.

Sukhbir conveyed to the core committee that he was also approached by farmers as well as farm organisations from adjoining states expressing apprehensions about the central ordinances.

“They urged the SAD to take up their issues and grievances with the central leadership. Taking this into account, the SAD is also of the view that the concerns should be taken up for consideration by the Centre. It will be appropriate if the SAD president leads a delegation to discuss the farmers’ concerns with the central government. The delegation will hold meetings with the Union government as well as other likeminded parties to address these apprehensions in the coming days,” it added.

The core committee also passed a resolution that it would never compromise on the interests of farmers at any cost.