Whitefly attack: Cong to protest on Aug 26
Tuesday, 25/08/2015
http://www.indiapress.org/gen/news.php/The_Tribune/
Abohar : Congress workers will organise a dharna at the sub-divisional complex on August 26 to protest government’s poor handling of the whitefly attack on cotton. Congress Legislature Party (CLP) Leader Sunil Jakhar, who visited Sappanwali village on Abohar-Sriganganagar highway, said the Agriculture Department didn’t supply whitefly-resistant seed that some companies were offering. Instead, he said, the department chose to provide subsidised insecticides to cotton growers, which have proved ineffective on the bug.
He said the government should compensate the hundreds of farmers in Abohar and Balluana segments, who have lost their crop. Jakhar rubbished the claim of Agriculture Department officials that they had visited villages to raise awareness on the issue. He alleged they were only seen at Sangat Darshans.
He further alleged the government had done nothing to promote crop diversification even when the Central government offered substantial assistance. The CLP Leader said it was the moral duty of the government to ensure the availability of certified seed, fertilisers and insecticides, but it failed on all fronts.
