IEP Chandigarh, February 27
Punjab Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal today held discussions with the representatives of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) regarding farmers issues of Punjab and the new agriculture policy. In the meeting held at Punjab Bhawan, representatives of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) Mr. Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Mr. Sukhdev Singh Kokri and Mr. Jhanda Singh gave suggestions regarding agriculture policy. Pointing towards three main objectives, the farmers leaders said, there should be no unfair distribution of land and agricultural equipment, usury should be abolished and all round development of three main resources of agriculture such as water, land and human labour should be ensured. Submitting 39 points for resolving at the government level, the BKU representatives said that due to lack of will power of the previous dispensations, the state of Punjab is facing a deep agrarian crisis. Mr. Dhaliwal reiterated, Mann government was fully committed to implement Pro-Punjab agriculture model, consequently, the work of drafting agriculture policy of Punjab has been initiated in just eleven months, and we are fully committed to implement it in a true spirit. The Agriculture Minister further added, agriculture issues such as water, electricity, pesticides, fertiliser control are the subject of the state government. He said, the issues suggested by the farmers union would be considered by the committee constituted for drafting Punjab Agriculture Policy, and their points would also be shared with the public for further discussion. In this series, suggestions of about 8500 farmers have been taken for agriculture policy during the first ever government-farmers milni. Said the Cabinet Minister, adding that the Punjab government has opened the way for the international market for Basmati of the state by banning 10 agricultural pesticides, which has directly benefited the farmers. He said, the draft agriculture policy of Punjab would be placed before the people of the state by March 31, 2023 to ensure that economic condition of the farmers could be improved by implementing the pro-Punjab agriculture model. The Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Principal Secretary Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Mr. Sumer Singh Gurjar, Secretary Mr. Dr. Arshdeep Singh Thind, Director Dr. Gurvinder Singh, Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana Vice Chancellor Dr. Satveer Singh Gosal, Punjab State Farmers and Agricultural Workers Commission Chairman Mr. Sukhpal Singh and OSD Dr. Devendra Tiwari.
