Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Anandpur Sahib MP Prem Singh Chandumajra has termed the visit of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's visit to grain markets in Punjab as a high-profile gimmick.
"Rahul is politicising the plight of farmers. The Congress must seek an apology from the farmers for initiating anti-farmer policies during six decades of Congress rule. The same Congress was nowhere to be seen when farmers of the region were facing problems in view of the inclement weather in March," he claimed.
He claimed that now when the problem had been resolved, Rahul was seeking to make a point.
Chandumajra claimed that the lifting of wheat had been almost completed in Punjab and payments would soon be made. He also claimed that deduction on quality of the crop would be borne by the Punjab government.
Replying to a question about the recent visit of chief minister Parkash Singh Badal to former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Chandumajra said it was a courtesy call.
Money yet to be paid, says Cong
Meanwhile local Congress MLA Kuljit Singh Nagra said that state government was shedding crocodile's tears as it had failed to make arrangements for lifting the grain in time. He said after the Congress had raised the issue in Parliament the SAD-BJP government in the state had completed the labour tendering process.
He said that farmers were in dilemma whether the deduction on account of quality would be borne by the state or the central government. He said Rs 4000 crore issued by the state government had not been credited to the accounts of commission agents or the farmers.
{{/usCountry}}He said that farmers were in dilemma whether the deduction on account of quality would be borne by the state or the central government. He said Rs 4000 crore issued by the state government had not been credited to the accounts of commission agents or the farmers.
{{/usCountry}}"Where was Chandumara or the SAD assembly in charge Didar Singh Bhatti when the farmers were holding protests by blocking national highway and trains in the district," he said.