SAD seeks special debate on agrarian crisis in Parliament

Observing that the negative growth of agricultural sector and non-profitable farming will have an adverse impact on the Indian economy and the gross domestic product (GDP), Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) general secretary Prem Singh Chandumajra on Sunday said the party had demanded a special debate in Parliament on the agrarian crisis in the country.

Chandumajra said he had written a letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker, urging him to conduct a special discussion on the issue in the House under the Rule-193 during the upcoming budget session.

“Agriculture has been the backbone of the Indian economy, but it can have adverse imapct on the GDP if it becomes non-profitable. Therefore, it is important to hold a discussion on the current scenario in the farming sector,”said the Anandpur Shaib MP while addressing mediapersons at the sidelines of a religious function.

The SAD has already taken up the demand for implementation of the MS Swaminathan Commission recommendations. “The SAD has always been raising its voice for making agriculture a profitable profession. It will now involve other parties from agrarian states to constitute a team of experts who can give their views to make farming profitable. The SAD has demanded a special debate on agrarian crisis, as the country’s economy won’t be lifted if agriculture sector continues to clock negative growth,”he added.

The MP said, “There is an urgent need to look into the condition of the farmers as agriculture has become a non-profitable profession. The contribution of agriculture in the economy was 52% at the time of Independence, but now it has been reduced to 12%. However, the population dependent on agriculture is still the same”.

‘CENTRE’S FARM INSURANCE SCHEME NEEDS CHANGES’

Asked if the Centre’s agriculture insurance scheme is not being proved beneficial for Punjab’s farmers, Chandumajra said, “Even the chief minister has written a letter to the Prime Minister.

I hope the required changes will be made in the scheme to make it beneficial for the farmers of the Punjab. SAD will ask the Centre to make such changes to make it favourable for the farmers of the state”.

The MP also welcomed the statement Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he wished to continue subsidies to the farming and social sectors while giving incentives to the industry.

First Published: Jan 31, 2016 22:07 IST