Jakhar calls for Cong MLAs’ sit-in at CM’s residence for farmers’ sake

Punjab’s leader of opposition in the state assembly, Sunil Jakhar, has convened a protest sit-in in front of the residence of chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Thursday, saying the Badal government had failed in wheat procurement, forcing the farmers to sell off their crops at the prices lower than the minimum support price (MSP).

Punjab’s leader of opposition in the state assembly, Sunil Jakhar, has convened a protest sit-in in front of the residence of chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Thursday, saying the Badal government had failed in wheat procurement, forcing the farmers to sell off their crops at the prices lower than the minimum support price (MSP).

Announcing the protest dharna at a press conference here, Jakhar also questioned the delay in the release of Rs 4,000 crore meant for the payment to farmers.

“The RBI has already cleared the cash credit for payments amounting to Rs 14,680 crore to the farmers, then why this delay in the release of money,” Jakhar wondered.

He also highlighted the seizure of the illegal wheat consignment in Batala, pointing out that the crop was packed in the gunny bags meant for official procurement and was being transported in private vehicles.

He said this was the tip of the iceberg as several influential parties across the state were making huge chunks of illegitimate money through such purchases of crops at rates lower than the MSP.