Fatehgarh Sahib MP blames Centre, state govt for ‘severest’ agrarian crisis

Fatehgarh Sahib MP Dr Amar Singh Boparai, former managing director of Food Corporation of India, today alleged that hidden ulterior intention of the Union Government and mismanagement of the state government were pushing Punjab towards the ‘severest’ agrarian crisis.

While talking to The Tribune after hearing issues pertaining to procurement and lifting of paddy at various grains of the district, Boparai alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government had intentionally created abundance of rice in the country with an intent to teach farmers a lesson for opposing three farm laws.

“As the world is currently experiencing many armed conflicts, India could have found an opportunity to sell farmer’s produce at premium and the benefit could have percolated to agricultural sector,” said Boparai regretting that the PM, instead of exporting rice to war-hit countries, chose to create a surplus that pushed the border state into a situation where all stakeholders, including growers, rice millers and commission agents, were at the receiving end.

Accusing the AAP-led state government of exhibiting ‘gross mismanagement’, the Congress MP asserted that well-coordinated and organised preparations were required to be made by various departments around 4-5 months ahead of the procurement season. He cited requisition tenders for gunny bags, repair and maintenance of grain markets, meetings with commission agents and rice millers among major avenues of preparation for procurement.

Boparai lamented that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann woke from his slumber in the second week of October when he held a meeting with a Union minister whereas he should have met the PM and drawn his attention to the issue a long time ago.

Justifying demands raised by paddy growers of Ludhiana and Malerkotla region of Fatehgarh Sahib parliamentary constituency, Boparai urged the government agencies to expedite procurement, lifting and payment process without further delay. “In case the administration does not step up efforts right now, the situation will go out of hand,” said the MP.

Meanwhile, Malerkotla DC Dr Pallavi claimed that Rs 57.87 crore had been credited to the accounts of farmers against the target of Rs 51.35 crore. Besides, 26,816 MT of paddy was reported to be procured out of 29,298 MT that arrived in mandis by Monday. The administration claimed that 18,337 MT of paddy was lifted within 72 hours of the procurement.