Farmers’ panel chief Kalkat resigns too

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 15

After heading the Punjab State Farmers’ Commission for 12 years, eminent agricultural scientist and former vice-chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University Dr Gurcharan Singh Kalkat has resigned as Chairman of the commission.

Interestingly, Kalkat, who has also served at important positions in the Union Agriculture Ministry, was appointed as founder-chairman of the commission by Captain Amarinder Singh-led Congress government in 2005.

Kalkat had also resigned from the post in 2007 when the SAD-BJP government had assumed charge. However, the then Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had not accepted his resignation. Rather, Badal persuaded him to continue on the post even after the formation of the SAD-BJP government again in 2012.

“Yes, I have resigned from the commission. I feel that one should step down from such posts after the formation of the new government so that the new dispensation can appoint the individuals of its choice. My resignation has not been accepted and it is up to the state government to take a decision in this regard,” said Kalkat, who has been conferred with a Padma award for his contribution to the field of agriculture.

Besides Kalkat, Surjit Singh Ablowal and HS Khalsa, Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Pun-jab Tourism Development Corporation, respectively, have also submitted their resignations.