CHANDIGARH, May 1: Punjab Congress today lashed out at the Akali government in the state for its ill preparedness about the wheat procurement that has led to lot of harassment to the farmers.
In a statement issued here today, the PCC Vice President Mr Laal Singh disclosed that there were no gunny bags available in the mandis. He said, the gunny bags are arranged at least 6 months in advance from different states. He maintained that since the Akalis never believed that they will come back to power they did not make any arrangements so that the Congress government will have to bear the brunt of the mess. He said, this government has been caught in its own web.
Mr Singh also demanded the resignation of the Mandi Board Chairman Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, who also happens to be the president of the Bhartiya Kisan Union, Punjab. He said, Lakhowal despite being a farmers’ leader had failed the farmers. Had it been the Congress government, he added, Lakhowal will be on the roads staging the protest.
The Congress vice president also sought the resignation of the Mandi Board Vice chairman, Ravinder Singh Cheema, who happens to be the president of the Punjab Arhtiya (Commission Agents) Association for his failure to watch the interest of the Arhtiyas.
Mr Singh demanded immediate availability of the gunny bags in the mandis. He said, the farmers were already suffering because of inclement weather and the government’s apathy had only added to their woes.