Centre released paddy MSP, state imposed cuts: Bittu

Union Minister of State Ravneet Bittu today said the Centre had accorded MSP to the farmers but the state government had imposed ‘cuts’.

Bittu asked all Congress MPs and leaders who had been raising the issue of MSP to seek a formal CBI probe into the matter so that the truth could be brought to the fore.

The Union Minister made these comments on the sidelines of his visit to the under construction Jalandhar Cantt railway station, which he said would be dedicated to the public in the first quarter of 2025.

Endorsing the BJP state president Sunil Jakhar’s statement, Bittu said, “AAP and the Congress are siding with each other on the issue of MSP. The Congress MPs who raised this matter in the Parliament, failed to question cuts imposed by the state government. Modi Sahib put Rs 44,000 crore in Punjab’s kitty, including MSP of Rs 2,320 money per quintal. The Congress leaders should demand a CBI probe into the matter. Let, the truth come out.”

He added, “The Centre sent the money but the state government imposed the cuts. If we say these things or go to mandis, they call us ‘Punjab virodhi’ (anti-Punjab).”

Speaking on the farmers’ Delhi March scheduled on December 6, Bittu said, “Farmers are ‘ann data’ for us. Harayana (agri) minister has stated that no obstruction will be posed. The Centre is always ready for a dialogue.”

He added that it was the responsibility of the state government to take care of farm leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal.

Bittu said the BJP would have mayors in all major civic bodies of the state. “In Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Patiala and Bathinda you will see mayors of the BJP. AAP was running away from the elections but had to relent to the SC’s directions. We see a contest between the BJP and the Congress,” he added.

“In the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won sizeable wards in Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Amritsar and Patiala. The party will perform even better this time. The AAP government doesn’t have money for public welfare. I say with responsibility that Modi Sahib will provide money for welfare schemes,” he said.

Rs 99 crore revamp

Union Minister Ravneet Bittu on Sunday said the Jalandhar Cantt railway station would be renovated at a cost of Rs 99 crore

He said once completed, the station would offer world-class facilities, temperature insulating domes, luxurious concourse, 10 lifts and nine escalators

He also announced provision for automatic block signalling section between Ludhiana and Jalandhar at a cost of 71.25 crore and KAVACH on Srinagar-Jalandhar-Jammu, Jammu-Amritsar and Amritsar-Pathankot-Khemkaran sections