Sukhbir promises Rs380/quintal SAP

Blurb: Announces Dimpy Dhillon as Gidderbaha candidate

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Tribune News Service

Gidderbaha/Muktsar, August 24

The SAD-BSP government would raise the sugarcane’s state advised price (SAP) to at least Rs 380 per quintal if voted to power, said SAD chief and Ferozepur MP Sukhbir Singh Badal here today.

“The SAD-BSP alliance government will offer matching or even higher rates for sugarcane vis-à-vis neighbouring states. Besides, a mechanism will be created to ensure timely payment of dues to growers,” he said during his ‘Gall Punjab Di’ programme in the Gidderbaha Assembly segment here amid tight security in the wake of farmers’ protest.

Sukhbir announced Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon as the party candidate for the upcoming Assembly elections from the constituency.

During his day-long tour of the segment, represented by Congress MLA Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Sukhbir met party workers and locals.

He asked CM Capt Amarinder Singh to compensate sugarcane growers for the loss suffered due to government’s refusal to increase the SAP for four years. He also demanded withdrawal of cases registered against farmers on account of stubble burning.

Earlier, during a road show in Gidderbaha town, some farmers waved black flags at him from the grain market. The police, however, prevented them from coming out and protesting.

At Doda village, the police had put up barricades to stop farmers from approaching the venue on the Muktsar-Bathinda highway. The farmers remained there for four hours, leading to closure of two roads and diversion of traffic. The farmers said they would continue their protests until they got answers to their queries.

Meanwhile, Sukhbir assured the Gidderbaha Bar Association of setting up chambers for advocates in the judicial complex once the party came to power.