Strongly condemning the SAD-BJP Government for not paying Rs 1345 per quintal MSP on paddy to farmers, Punjab Congress on Thursday described it a ‘big loot’ by the Badal family.
“Farmers are being paid Rs 1,050 to Rs 1,100 per quintal, which is Rs 300 less than the MSP announced by the Centre. Neither the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal nor any Minister, MlA of his have so far visited the ‘mandis’ to listen to the grievances of paddy growers,” said Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Partap Singh Bajwa while addressing the first meeting of District Congress Committee (DCC) rural and urban. He said that in a month’s time, Rs 1,000 crore would be siphoned off from farmer’s pockets.
Calling upon the Congress leaders to sink their differences and unite to return to power in Punjab, Bajwa said that people had high hopes from Congress since SAD-BJP alliance had failed to deliver. He said that he would soon give a call for non-cooperation to the people of Punjab and not to pay taxes. “Congress would waive off undue taxes like penalty imposed on illegal colonies. Advance tax is imposed, VAT refund of Rs 600 crores is due, the employees are not getting regular salaries even then the SAD-BJP government claims the economy is better,” he added.