Mann Govt Urged to Fulfil

Hoshiarpur/Daljeet Ajnoha/April 6 : Senior BJP leader and former Cabinet Minister Tikshan Sood, in a press note, stated that wheat procurement is in full swing. However, the ongoing strike by commission agents (arthiyas) is causing hardships for farmers at many places. Farmers are in a dilemma over when to start harvesting wheat amid the strike and when to bring it to mandis for sale.
Farmers have already suffered heavy losses due to adverse weather. Future bad weather could bring more trouble. The Punjab government has yet to fulfil promises made to flood victims, leaving little hope for compensation from prospective losses.
Sood said the arthiyas’ strike is fully justified as they are only demanding fulfilment of existing promises, not raising new demands. While the Centre has allowed arthiyas in wheat and rice procurement, nearly two years ago, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann personally promised in a meeting with them that the Punjab government would cover from its own coffers the amount needed to meet their 2.5% commission demand.
He added that this state government’s habit of making promises and then backing out has created a situation that is proving fatal for farmers, arthiyas, labourers, and the general public.