CHANDIGARH: Punjab’s leader of opposition (LoP) in assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, on Monday, criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) state government for not ensuring the procurement of moong (green gram) crop on minimum support price (MSP).
Bajwa, who is the Congress MLA from Qadian, said despite the CM’s persuasion, the government had not fulfilled its responsibility of ensuring MSP to farmers. He said the government had failed to ensure the purchase of maize crops on MSP also.
Bajwa said the AAP government purchased a negligible quantity of moong, while private players purchased the crop for Rs 6,800 to Rs 7,000 a quintal, which was Rs 955 to Rs 755 below the MSP of Rs 7,755. Farmers in some districts got only Rs 5,800 per quintal, he said.
He said the government’s purchase of moong this year fell 77% when compared to last year. The government procurement of moong was just 2,280 quintals, he added. “Last year, moong dal farmers were forced to sell 85% crop below the MSP. The CM again backstabbed the farmers as he failed to keep his word. Certainly, he is not a man of his word,” Bajwa added.
Bajwa said summer maize harvesting was on in the state, but farmers were forced to sell the crop to private traders for Rs 1,500-1,550 per quintal, even as the MSP on maize is Rs 1,962 per quintal.
