Cong seeks probe into ‘insecticides scam’

Our Correspondent

Abohar, August 26

Hundreds of farmers from the cotton belt of Abohar, Balluana and Fazilka staged a dharna at the sub-divisional complex here today. While leading the protest, Leader of the Opposition Sunil Jakhar submitted some damaged cotton plants instead of memorandum to the government through the sub-divisional administration.

Carrying placards, the protesters raised slogans against the government.

Launching a scathing attack on Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Jakhar said, “The veteran Akali stalwart was till 2000 known as farmers’ leader, but his priorities have changed now. Though the senior Badal had ordered action against top officials of the Agriculture Department when I produced documents to substantiate their involvement in the subsidised wheat seed scam a few years ago, later the erring officials were promoted to plum posts.”

“Tota Singh is considered as the next to Badal in seniority in the Akali politics, but he too feels handicapped in framing a result-oriented agriculture policy,” he added.

Reiterating that a particular brand of insecticide to deal with whitefly attack on cotton crop was purchased by the Agriculture Department allegedly without calling for tenders, Jakhar demanded a high-level inquiry into the “scam” as the insecticides provided on 50 per cent subsidy “did not work”.

The investigation in the “seed scam” should also be handed over to an independent agency, he said.

Jakhar said the state government had on March 25 requested the Central government to provide Rs 717 crore as compensation to farmers hit by untimely rain, but no funds had been received so far. He claimed that Rs 193 crore was available with the state exchequer under the Disaster Relief Fund and it should be immediately given to affected cotton growers. Former Congress MLA from Fazilka Dr Mohinder Rinwa claimed that canal water was being diverted to Pakistan, areas in Fazilka and Ferozepur faced floods but many villages were deprived of water for drinking.