Punjab Cong presses for union agriculture minister’s resignation
Friday, 10/06/2016
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BATHINDA: The Punjab Congress on Thursday demanded sacking of Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh from the cabinet for his comments on system of minimum support price (MSP) for agricultural crops.
Congress leader Sunil Kumar Jakhar during a press conference in Bathinda on Thursday.
Singh, in a web chat with farmers on Wednesday, had hinted of the Central government moving away from large hikes in MSPs. He had said that some people think that the only way to shore up farmers’ income is through MSP. “Wrong. This alone wouldn’t do unless farmers diversify their activities into livestock, kitchen gardens, fishery etc. This is our focus,” he said. “More than MSPs, farmers needed better markets,” he said.
Former Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader and MLA Sunil Jakhar said the minister should immediately be either sacked from the cabinet or be shifted from agriculture ministry for his repeated anti-farmer stand and comments.
Jakhar added that Singh had earlier too made such insensitive statements about farmers.
Jakhar while criticising the Central government for ‘meager’ hike in MSP of paddy said that an increase of `60 per quintal was not sufficient as it is not in proportion with the inflation rate. He said that as per the existing rate of inflation the MSP of paddy should be at least `1,562 per quintal.
Asking deputy CM Sukhbir Badal to clear position on the said statement, Jakhar said SAD should raise the demand of sacking the minister and increasing paddy MSP in proportion to inflation with PM Modi during his visit to Chandigarh on International Yoga day on June 21. He said that in case Paddy MSP is not increased, the Punjab government should seek permission to provide bonus of `52 per quintal to farmers.
Jakhar added that he will request Captain Amarinder Singh to protest during the PM’s visit or lead a delegation demanding Radha Mohan Singh’s resignation and increase in paddy MSP.
