Traders enjoy luxuries of life, farmers’ labour goes in vain: JJP MLA Gautam

Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Hisar, December 21

Jannayak Janata Party MLA from Narnaund assembly segment in Hisar, Ramkumar Gautam has called for the need for a stronger and better law to ameliorate the condition of the farming community who has been suffering losses for years.

The Centre should immediately repeal the three agriculture Acts and work on introducing a better law in consultation with the representatives of farmers organisations who are spearheading the agitation, said Gautam while talking to The Tribune here today.

The farmers though produce grain despite all the vagaries of weather but never get profitable returns and even the Minimum Support Price (MSP) while the traders and others enjoy the fruits of his hard work, the JJP MLA said.

“The traders and their families have all the luxuries of life. They own fleet of cars, their children live a blissful life, make marry, drink fine whisky. But a farmer suffers from hardships throughout his life and struggles hard to earn minimum basic needs to sustain the family. He never even gets an opportunity to experience the joys of life. The farmers are in dire straits these days, their children face unemployment, get addicted to drugs in frustration,” he said while pressing for a better and strong law.

Gautam said the issue of SYL is equally important and the government must bring the matter for discussion with the farmers’ bodies from Punjab and Haryana on the same table for discussion along with chalking out provisions of an alternative law after withdrawal of the existing laws.

“Punjab has been denying the due share of SYL waters to its younger brother – Haryana. Now, when Haryana farmers have welcomed the protesting Punjab brethren with open arms, supply manpower, logistics and goods for the agitators sitting on Delhi borders, their Punjab counterparts should show similar compassion and make befitting gesture to ensure that Haryana farmers get their due share. This issue should be resolved in the same meeting,” he added.

The MLA added that earlier Punjab people have even filled up the portion of the SYL canal in their territory. But in view of the newfound bonhomie courtesy the ongoing agitation, they should not oppose the construction of the canal to fetch water in Haryana now.

He maintained that the country will be stronger if farmers are in better condition as they are not only feeding the country but their sons are also guarding the frontiers of the country. All the wings of the Indian forces including the Defence, paramilitary or the police forces have sons of farmers, he said, adding that some wrong elements — who are opposed to the government also — have crept in the agitation which could be detrimental for the country.