PM Modi’s intervention sought to end procurement crisis
Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take the initiative to resolve the farmers’ crisis by holding a meeting with the Punjab’s Chief Minister as well as farmers, commission agents and mill owners.
While reviewing the ongoing paddy procurement process at the grain market on the Sirhind Road, the minister alleged that the Central Government was implementing ‘cunning’ strategies to ruin Punjab.
On the occasion, he engaged in discussions with representatives of farmers, commission agents, mill owners and labourers, stating that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government was firmly resisting the Centre’s strategies.
He also highlighted that due to the efforts of the Punjab Government, the lifting of the procured paddy had accelerated, with more than 40% of the lifting already completed in Patiala district.
In an informal conversation with the media, Dr Balbir Singh said the ongoing agitation by Punjab’s farmers was being retaliated against, with a conspiracy to undermine them, labourers, commission agents and mill owners to benefit large industrial houses of the likes of Ambani and Adani.
He alleged that drugs were being sent to Punjab from Gujarat, Maharashtra and other states to turn the state youth towards addiction, while central agencies remained inactive.
Dr Balbir reiterated that the Centre had withheld market board funds for the past two and a half years, causing difficulties. Despite this, the Punjab Government would ensure farmers, labourers, mill owners and commission agents did not face any issues, he said.
The minister also held a meeting with leaders of the Patiala Commission Agents Association, including Satwinder Singh Saini, Naresh Mittal, Ashok Kumar Modhi, Charandas Goel, KR Gupta, Ashok Kumar, Paramjit Singh, Kulwinder Singh, Karnail Singh, Bahal Singh, Darbara Singh Jahlan, Vikramjeet Singh Saini, Teerth Bansal, Sarpanch Hardev Singh and Rakesh Bhanara.
