Chandigarh, June 13:Punjab Pradesh Congress committee took serious note and objection to the remarks of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal on UPA government regarding paddy MSP hike by calling it “ Rubbing salt in farmers’ wounds” . The congress Chief spokesman S. Bir Devinder Singh termed his remarks as shallow, premature, ill-conceived and politically motivated.
He stated that Mr, Badal should know his facts and stop blowing hot and cold in the same breath. While yesterday he called his meeting with Union Home Minister Mr. Shivraj Patil “as extremely positive and forth coming” due to Home Minister’s promise to give several hundred crores for Punjab Border Towns development. He has shown his ungrateful and uncharitable attitude towards UPA Government purely due to irresponsible political insinuations.
The PPPC Spokesman reminded Badal that an increase of 105 rupees per quintal for paddy is not only a quantum jump as compare to NDA’s performance on the issue but is also only an adhoc decision for the time being. The matter regarding fixing still higher MSP for paddy has been referred to the Economic Advisory Council of The Prime Minister, primarily because any increase in the paddy MSP was strongly opposed by the BJP ruled states like Gujarat Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh ,Himachal and even Orissa. It is primarily because of their opposition that the matter had to be referred to the EAC.
If Mr. Badal has even the slightest sympathy for Punjab farmers he should use harsh words for the BJP and not blame the Centre who has shown magnanimity to the farmers time and again.
Mr. Bir Devinder Singh welcomed the steep rise in the Paddy MSP and hoped that BJP ruled States will understand the plight of the farmers and will help the Central Government in deciding still higher MSP for paddy by taking more positive attitude. PPCC will closely watch Mr, Badals performance in persuading the BJP leadership who is making a cruel joke with the farmers. We are sure and hopeful that EAC will go by the recommendation of the Commission for Agriculture Costs and Prices (CACP) and give realistic increase in the MSP for Paddy.