Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar on Sunday said that the cold shoulder given by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to farmers’ concerns during his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ speaks volumes of insensitivity and apathy of BJP towards the issue of farmers and reflects its arrogance.

“The Prime Minister’s attitude has made it clear that neither the BJP Government is sincere in resolving the farmers’ concerns through negotiations nor have any respect for their sentiments,” said Jakhar.

He said: “By justifying the anti-farmer laws prior to the meeting, slated to be held on December 3, with farmers, the Prime Minister has made his Government’s intentions crystal clear.”

Also assailing the Prime Minister for saying that these laws have benefited the farmers and these laws have been framed in consultation with all the stakeholders, Punjab Congress chief said that in reality, these laws have been framed in consultation with corporates only to the detriment of the farming community.

“The Prime Minister must tell the nation if the maize farmer, whom he referred to in today’s program, has received the minimum support price (MSP) for his maize crop? If the agriculture bills are really pro-farmers, the BJP government must explain why  payment of Rs 12,000 crore to the sugarcane cultivators is still pending and not paid within three days as stipulated in the new laws,” he asked.

Jakhar said that despite the fact that demonetization had a devastating effect on Indian economy, the BJP leadership was still hailing it. “As a matter of fact, these farm bills are worse than demonetization and would have far more severe repercussions in the coming days,” said Jakhar adding that the Congress party is seeking the rollback of these black laws otherwise the entire economy of the country would be ruined.