Capt asks Badal to spell measures taken out for paddy procurement
Friday, 11/09/2015
http://epaper.dailypostindia.com/Details.aspx?id=139593&boxid=58946&uid=&dat=2015-09-11
Amritsar : Congress Deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Capt Amarinder Singh on Thursday asked the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to spell out the measures he has planned for procurement of paddy that will start arriving in the mandis form the next month, lest it meets the same fate as the wheat that remained in the mandis for weeks together.
Capt Amarinder said, with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) having decided not to purchase paddy in Punjab, the situation appeared to be very grim since the state government does not seem to be in a position to make payment to the farmers. He disclosed that the state government owes over Rs 1500 crore to the arthiyas (commission agents). With its coffers empty there appears to be no hope for the farmers in this paddy season.
Later talking to reporters, Capt Amarinder criticised the state government for the abnormally high power bills people have received. He said, he has been receiving complaints from people that they were getting inflated power bills. He said, the matter needs to be thoroughly looked into.
Capt Amarinder condemned the racial attack on a Sikh in the United States. However, he added, it appeared to be a case of mistaken identity as the Sikhs are loved and respected as a community in the US and there was no question of anybody having any animosity or hostility towards them. At the same time, he added, any such racial assault or attack irrespective of who is the victim must be condemned. Earlier, Ranjit Chhajalwadi welcomed Capt Amarinder and thanked him for keeping the promise to meet people of Baba Bakala constituency who were victimised by the Akalis.
