Captain seeks Rs 150 bonus over MSP for paddy

Friday, 27/06/2014

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Amritsar : Former Chief Minister and Amritsar MP Capt Amarinder Singh on Thursday demanded that farmers should be paid Rs 150 per quintal bonus on paddy as Rs 50 per quintal hike on Minimum Support Price (MSP) was not going to compensate the additional costs being incurred by the farmers.

While addressing a press conference here, Capt Amarinder Singh said that with not so good monsoon predicted for this year, farmers have to use their own irrigation which would definitely cost them more than expected. He said, “The state government must announce Rs 150 per quintal bonus on paddy as I had done when I was Chief Minister.”

He further said that the average cumulative increase on paddy and wheat MSP during the Congress led UPA government at the Centre was about Rs 70 per year, that during the BJP led NDA government between 1998 and 2004 was only Rs 11. He said, UPA government was generous towards farmers and had raised the MSP at times by as much as Rs 150 per quintal. While giving details, he said that UPA had increased MSP of wheat by Rs 710 and paddy by Rs 750 in ten years, the NDA government during six years had increased the MSP of wheat by just Rs 80 and paddy by Rs 70 only.

Questioning about the logic behind constituting the Narcotics Prevention and Control Board when Narcotics Control Bureau was already doing its job, the former chief minister expressed apprehensions that this board that is headed by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal would only shield and protect those Akalis who are producing, promoting and pedalling the drugs.

Referring to the government announcement that they would eradicate drug addiction from the state within two years, he asked Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal as what was he doing till now. He said that this is the time to take urgent action as drugs were destroying an entire generation.

He also justified his support to separate SGPC for Haryana. He said that Badal should introspect as why he was opposing the autonomy to Haryana Sikhs to manage their own religious affairs. He advised those opposing the Haryana SGPC to read history and then decide whether they should oppose Haryana SGPC or support it.

The senior Congress leader also asked BJP to explain the reason behind the resignation of their four ministers from the government. “Whether it is disillusionment with the Akalis or the failure of your ministers?” he asked BJP to explain.

Capt Amarinder also took a dig at Akali and BJP leaders for claiming to make Amritsar a “smart city”. He remarked, “They probably do not realise the historic importance of Amritsar. It is a historic city with a distinct heritage and culture.” He asked the government to pursue the case with UNESCO for declaring it as heritage city.

The Amritsar MP also referred to the sewage problems in the city. He pointed out that just a pre-monsoon light shower inundated the entire city and what would happen in heavy showers.

Later Capt Amarinder also flagged off an anti-drug rally to mark the Anti-Drug Addiction Day.

 Capt Amarinder thanks people of Majitha

Amritsar MP Capt Amarinder Singh on Thursday thanked the people of Majitha for voting for him and ensuring his victory from Amritsar. He said that they had exhibited exceptional courage against all odds and intimidation and voted for him to ensure his landslide victory from Amritsar.

During his thanksgiving visit to Majitha assembly segment, Capt Amarinder met a number of people and delegations who listed various problems and issues. He promised them that he would ensure that their problems were duly addressed and taken care of.

One of the delegations also submitted a memorandum to him mentioning the details of the illicit liquor being manufactured by an Akali sarpanch. The delegation disclosed that 17 people had died during the last few years after consuming the illicit liquor produced by the sarpanch and police had not taken any action. They said, during a recent raid 400 drums of illicit liquor were seized, but police showed less on papers.