Congress seeks relief for drought & rain losses
Tuesday, 09/09/2014
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140909/punjab.htm#12
Chandigarh : The Punjab Congress has demanded a compensation of Rs 11,000 per acre to farmers for incurring additional cost to save their crops from drought and a relief of Rs 25,000 per acre to those whose crops had been damaged in the rains.
A meeting of the Congress’ farmers’ cell was held here today. Besides Bajwa, among those present were the cell chairman, Inderjit Singh Zira, and former MLAs Surinder Pal Singh Sibia, Sukhpal Singh Khaira and Jagtar Singh Rajla.
Bajwa accused the Badal government of “shedding crocodile tears” and doing nothing for the farmers. He claimed that during the NDA regime (1998 to 2004), the minimum support price (MSP) for paddy was hiked by a mere Rs 60. But during the UPA rule (2004-2014), the MSP was raised to Rs 690 per quintal.
He alleged the Badal government had misappropriated funds released by the Central Government for the state farmers. He said the party’s kisan wing would be strengthened.
In all, nine resolutions were passed at the meeting.
Stranded in J&K
Khanna: More than 200 residents of Khanna are stranded in Jammu and Kashmir, residents of Ward No 5 told the Khanna SDM on Monday. They asked him to take up the issue with higher officials. They submitted a letter to BJP's state Yuva Morcha vice-president Anuj Chhahria who said he would speak with Avinash Rai Khanna, MP.
