Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Monday claimed that the July 11 thanksgiving rally at Malout would be a historic one with farmers from Punjab and even those from parts of neighbouring states expressing their overwhelming sense of gratitude to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the record increase in minimum support price (MSP) of Kharif crops.
“There is a tremendous enthusiasm amongst farmers to attend the rally and personally thank the PM for his bold decision to ensure 50 percent profit on input costs while framing MSP for Kharif crops including paddy and cotton which has witnessed an unprecedented Rs 200 per quintal and Rs 1100 per quintal increase respectively,” said party spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema.
He said that the party had received offers from various village panchayats and ‘nagars’ to take on responsibility of langar sewa for participants. Similarly, various village committees have resolved to establish ‘chabeels’ at various points to facilitate those coming to the rally, he added.
Cheema said that as far as the SAD was concerned, it had requested party workers to come in an orderly fashion in ‘jathas’ from all districts in the State in the thanksgiving rally.
“Appropriate arrangements are being made at the rally site to accommodate massive congregation as farmers from neighbouring states of Haryana and Rajasthan would also participate in the rally. This is likely to be the biggest rally Punjab has seen for a long time,” he said.