Haryana’s main opposition party, Indian National lok Dal on Thursday submitted a memorandum to Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki demanding an inquiry into alleged paddy procurement scam in the State.
The INlD delegation led by State party chief Ashok Arora and INlD’s senior leader Abhay Singh Chautala met the Governor and apprised him about how the farmers are being duped during the ongoing paddy procurement season in Haryana.
INlD alleged that the farmers are being denied MSP in the mandis (grain markets) on the pretext of high moisture content in their produce.
Talking to the mediapersons later, Abhay Chautala said that the Governor has assured us to look into the matter and visit the mandis himself to check the ongoing paddy procurement process.
The INlD also announced to withdraw its decision to observe ‘Black Diwali’ following the request of Governor.
Chautala, who is the leader of opposition in Haryana Assembly, said that the Governor has asked us not to observe ‘Black Diwali’ and we have decided to withdraw the decision.
A day before, the opposition had announced to observe ‘Black Diwali’ to protest against the State Government’s “anti-people” policies and “cheating of farmers by denying them MSP (minimum support price)”.
The INlD had alleged that as paddy arrivals at different 'mandis' (grain markets) in Haryana was picking up, farmers are facing tough times because they are not getting full minimum support price (MSP) for their crops. Farmers are being paid at least Rs 200-300 per quintal lesser than the MSP, the party had alleged.
The INlD had also demanded implementation of Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations and government employees to be given pay scales at par with Punjab as promised by the BJP during assembly polls.