Punjab seeks implementation of Swaminathan Commission report

Chandigarh, March 25

The Punjab Assembly passed a resolution for approaching the Centre for implementing the recommendations of Swaminathan Commission report, which suggested 50 per cent profit over input costs to farmers on Wednesday.

Moving the resolution on the last day of the budget session, Punjab Parliamentary Affairs Minister Madan Mohan Mittal said: “This House strongly recommends to the state government to approach the Central Government to implement the recommendations of Dr Swaminathan Committee concerning the farmers."

Congress Legislature Party leader Sunil Jakhar described farming as "unviable" option because of lack of non-remunerative prices.

"Farming is now no longer viable and farmers are not finding it profitable," Jakhar said, accusing the BJP-led Centre of not making no moves to implement the report despite promising to do so in its poll promises.

Citing examples cotton and basmati, he said that the falling prices of these crops by 25-30 per cent this season has added to farmers’ woes.

"Maize, which was promoted by the state government, could fetch only Rs 850-900 per quintal as against minimum selling price of Rs 1,350 per quintal," he said.

Pitching for making farming "sustainable" and providing remunerative prices to farmers, the CLP leader suggested the state government considered introducing a viability gap funding for farmers to make up for the difference between MSP and actual price of crops.

"We should think over what can we do for farmers. Can we consider launching viability gap funding to mitigate the woes of farmers," he asked the treasury benches.

Jakhar also asked deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to invite noted agriculture scientist Dr Swaminthan to Punjab to seek his suggestions to help farmers.

Punjab Agriculture Minister Tota Singh also expressed concern over the condition of farmers and suggested that the Centre should devise a system for mitigating their woes. The minister said farmers across the country were distressed.

"Unless the Swaminathan Commission report is implemented, the distressed farmers cannot be saved," he asserted.

Singh ruled out the possibility of withdrawing power subsidies to farmers, claiming that the move would result in rising farm debts.

"Had we not supported our farmers with free power, the debt burden of our farmers would have swelled to Rs 70,000-72,000 crore from Rs 30,000 crore," he said.

BJP MLA Manoranjan Kalia accused the previous UPA-led Centre of failing in taking care of farmers’ interests.

"Why did not they implement Swaminathan Commission report during their regime," he asked while pointing out opposition benches, lauding the Modi government for not ratifying the trade facilitation agreement with WTO which could have restricted India from giving subsidy to farmers.

Congress MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh asked the treasury benches to ensure Rs 300-400 per quintal to farmers till the report is implemented. — PTI