DAP earmarked for Abohar being sent to poll-bound Gidderbaha, allege farmers

Alleging diversion of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) earmarked for Abohar to bypoll-bound Gidderbaha, hundreds of farmers today protested at the railway goods platform on Abohar-Sriganganagar Road.

The farmers said they would not allow even a single fertiliser bag to be shipped to Gidderbaha for political benefits.

Farmer leader Sukhmandar Singh, who was present on the spot, said, “Earlier, the farmers were looted at grain markets on pretext of moisture content beyond permissible limit in paddy produce. Now, when DAP is needed here, its being transported to Gidderbaha to please the voters. Even a single bag earmarked for Abohar can’t be diverted anywhere else.”

Sukhjinder Singh Rajan, another farm leader, said so many scams were taking place in the name of DAP and no AAP leader had come forward to take care of the farmers.

Babbal Butter, a farm leader, said, “As soon as I came to know about the matter, I reached the spot to find that DAP rack had been unloaded from wagons but the goods carriage receipts (permits) to most vehicles were issued for Gidderbaha villages. If the consignment was meant Gidderbaha, it could have been unloaded there. The ruling party wants to please farmers in the poll-bound Gidderbaha.”

Officials who came to pick DAP said they were directed by higher authorities to reach Abohar and transport the fertiliser to Gidderbaha.

A Markfed official argued that the consignment was to be shared by Abohar and Gidderbaha. “We will wait for further instructions from the state government,” he said.

Sushil Siyag, former president of the Sarpanches’ Union condemned the state government for trying to influence voters in Gidderbaha through unethical practice.