Ex-minister Bikram Majithia condemns delay in procurement

Majitha, April 20

Former minister Bikram Singh Majithia on Tuesday condemned the Congress government for delaying procurement and demanded compensation for farmers for damage to crop and liberty in moisture content limit.

The SAD leader, who visited the local mandi also castigated the government for failing to provide adequate gunny bags even after delaying the procurement season from April 1 to April 10. He also pointed out that there was no lifting in the mandis which would result in a wheat glut and cause further misery to farmers if not resolved immediately.

Majithia said the delay in procurement had resulted in high moisture content in wheat as well as damage due to rains and high winds.

“Shortage of gunny bags was responsible for the reduced procurement with only five per cent of the procurement being done till now. He also asserted that no lifting was taking place and in case it rained there would be widespread damage to the wheat crop lying in the mandis”, he said.

He also castigated the government for befooling farmers about the DBT scheme, saying the government knew about it since 2018 but did nothing to avert it. “Now farmers are suffering due to late payment”, he added.

Majithia while taking a tour of the mandi also noted that contrary to the announcements made by the Congress government, the government had not taken measures to ensure safety of farmers in the mandis.

He said announcements had been made that foot operated taps had been installed in the mandis and that masks and sanitisers had also be made available everywhere. “As per reports received by me from across the state this has not been done at the ground level”, he said.

Majithia also asked Capt Amarinder Singh to provide financial relief to people who were most affected by the lockdown and give express directions to the civil and police administration not to impose heavy fines and penalties on people who were already in dire financial straits. He said the government was exploiting money from the people in the name of ‘challans’ and penalties. — TNS

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