If no shortage, why is DAP not reaching farmers, asks Kumari Selja

Congress MP from Sirsa Kumari Selja said there could be nothing more shameful for the government than a farmer committing suicide over fertiliser, seeds, or pesticides.

Selja visited the family of Ram Bhagat, a farmer of Bhikhewala village who ended his life at the Uklana grain market, where he had gone to purchase the fertiliser on Thursday.

Farmer’s suicide matter of shame

There could be nothing more shameful for the government than a farmer committing suicide over fertiliser, seeds, or pesticides.... The government must change its perspective and policies toward farmers. Their honour and needs should be prioritised. Kumari Selja, Sirsa MP

Offering condolences to the family, she said it was unfortunate that the farmers were desperate for DAP, but the administration claimed there was no fertiliser shortage.

“If there is no shortage, why are farmers unable to access it, leading to such despair that they resort to suicide?” she asked, adding that the government must change its perspective and policies toward farmers.

Selja said the government must seriously address the issue as nothing was more important than a farmer's life. The government should take action to prevent farmers from taking the extreme step, she said, adding that there was need to inspect warehouses and stocks of fertiliser sellers. If any seller was hoarding DAP or urea and refused to sell it to farmers, strict action should be taken against them, she stated.

The Congress MP said while farmers were committing suicide over DAP shortage, CM Nayab Singh Saini claimed there was no shortage in the state. She questioned how the government could detect stubble burning from satellites but failed to notice the long queues of farmers waiting for fertiliser. “If there is enough fertiliser, why isn’t it reaching the farmers, and who is selling DAP on the black market?” she asked.