SAD backed farm laws, backtracked later: Capt Amarinder

Chandigarh, March 5

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today expressed confidence that the people of the state would not be carried away by the “false promises” of some leaders detached from “Punjab and Punjabiyat” and would repose confidence in his transparent government.

In his Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address, the CM said his was a “people’s government” that would strive for a “Kaamyaab and Khushaal Punjab”.

Summing up the outcomes of his government’s policies, he reiterated the benefits delivered to farmers, consumers as a result of free/subsidised power, as well as debt relief to farmers and farm workers.

Lauding the role of farmers in ensuring successful procurement during the pandemic, the CM said Rs 62,000 crore had been paid to farmers for the two crops procured during this period. Around 10 lakh farmers had come to the mandis to sell their produce, he said.

Pointing out that SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal had initially accused his government of misleading the farmers, and claimed the farm laws were in favour of the farmers, the CM said it was later that Sukhbir backtracked to oppose the legislations.

He read out from an extract of a letter of June 25, 2020, in which Sukhbir had backed the farm laws, emphasising “there is nothing in these ordinances which is either against the federal structure or against the farmers”.

The Akalis supported the resolution moved by his government in the Vidhan Sabha against the central laws and even went to the Governor to submit it before taking a U-turn, he said. Capt Amarinder recalled that Union ministers Hardeep Puri and Som Prakash had stated that MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal was part of the Cabinet meeting that approved the farm ordinances.

He appealed to the Centre to withdraw all cases and notices against the agitating farmers. He introduced a resolution calling for repeal of the farm laws. The resolution, which was later passed unanimously by the House, expressed the angst of the members against the “unresponsive attitude” of the Centre. It demanded the unconditional withdrawal of the laws and to continue with the existing system of MSP-based procurement.

Targeting BJP leaders over their statements against farmers, the CM asserted Punjab farmers were not anti-nationals but were the same patriotic people who laid down their lives at Galwan valley to protect India’s integrity. — TNS

Power perks to continue in state

The CM announced that free power to farmers and subsidised power to the industry will continue, as will the 200 free units of power to SC/BPL/BC households and freedom fighters in the state

Enforcement Directorate to curb mining

The CM announced constitution of an Enforcement Directorate, Mining, under the command of a senior police officer with adequate police force at his command to eliminate illegal mining

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