Farmers completely ignored in Budget: Sarwan Singh Pandher

Chandigarh, July 23

Kisan Mazdoor Morcha coordinator Sarwan Singh Pandher today said that the farming sector had been “totally ignored” in the Budget.

Spearheading the “Dilli Chalo” march at the Shambhu border since February, Pandher said, “Neither legal guarantee for the MSP nor farm loan waiver finds any mention in the Budget. There is nothing in it for development of the agriculture sector.”

Terming the Budget directionless, he said, “Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hardly bothers to look at the ground realities. Farmers are protesting for their rights for the past several years. The Centre has not shared any alternative it’s working on to boost the income of farmers.”

Jagjit Singh Dallewal of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) said the Centre had allocated only 3 per cent of the total Budget outlay for the agriculture sector.

Randeep Sangatpura of Sangrur said he found the Budget depressing. “There is no mention of guaranteed purchase and MSP for alternative crops. Last year, I cultivated pearl millet, but suffered losses. Why will the farmers sow other crops if they can’t sell their produce at a good price?” he said.