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Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Harjeet Grewal criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government on Sunday for allegedly failing to procure paddy from farmers, despite receiving funds from the Central government.
"Punjab has an agrarian economy, and it's the festival season, yet the government is refusing to accept its mistake. Without reason, they are claiming that funds haven't been provided. However, the Central government has already given Rs 44,000 crore. Now, the state government must procure and store the produce," Grewal told ANI. He added, "They only issued a tender for sacks seven days ago, and all necessary arrangements, such as providing drinking water, should have been managed by the Punjab government. The minister even avoided going to Delhi to negotiate with the Central government." Meanwhile, farmers in Punjab continued their protest for the second consecutive day, pressing for various demands, including timely paddy procurement. As part of the protest, farmers organised roadblocks, or "chakka jam," in several parts of Punjab, including Sangrur, Moga, Phagwara, and Batala. The Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee and the Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) participated in the protest. Kisan Mazdoor Morcha Coordinator Sarwan Singh Pandher, present at the protest site in Phagwara, said, "The indefinite roadblocks by both fronts, demanding paddy procurement, DAP supply, and stubble management solutions, have entered their second day. Yesterday, the CM went to Delhi and mentioned talks with the MHA and JP Nadda..." Earlier, a BJP delegation met with Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and submitted a memorandum urging him to ensure that the crop is lifted from mandis before Diwali and Bandi Chhor Diwas. The memorandum noted that paddy procurement for the Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) officially began in Punjab on October 1, 2024. "Before the season started, in the last week of September, the Punjab Government received Rs 44,000 crore from the Central Government for paddy procurement at MSP," the memorandum stated. It further criticised the Punjab government, stating that it had "miserably failed to make all necessary arrangements on time to ensure smooth paddy procurement," citing delays in acquiring gunny bags, tarpaulins, and notifications for custom milling policies, FRK milling policies, labour contracts, and transportation contracts. (ANI)
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