NEW DELHI: The relationship between Congress and AAP, which were already strained following the Haryana poll results, worsened with Congress accusing the Bhagwant Mann-led govt in Punjab of conspiring with BJP govt at the Centre to trigger a "crisis" in regards to the storing of paddy crop which could potentially destroy the state's economy. Leader of the opposition in the Punjab assembly Partap Singh Bajwa also claimed Mann misled farmers to use hybrid varieties of paddy which was also responsible for the situation.
"I hold Arvind Kejriwal, Mann and central govt responsible for this crisis, which will also create a law and order situation," Bajwa said at a press conference in New Delhi. He sought the immediate intervention of the Centre, alleging that 185 lakh metric tonne of paddy was expected to arrive in mandis (markets) but there was no space available in godowns across the state, as previous stocks had not been cleared.
Bajwa alleged the CM, like a "brand ambassador", propagated the use of PR-126 and similar hybrid varieties of paddy which farmers sowed at his instance ultimately leading to the present crisis.
"Now it has been revealed that this variety yields about 5kg less rice per quintal after milling, as compared to traditional varieties. This will cause losses to rice millers to the tune of Rs 6,000 crore. They refuse to mill the paddy till they are compensated," Bajwa said and asked who will compensate the millers.
He referred to the issue of commission for the 'arhtiyas' (commission agents). He said the arhtiyas were protesting and refusing to purchase the produce in the mandis.
Congress's attack on AAP and BJP for allegedly waking up too late to speed up procurement and clear stocks came on the same day Mann met Union food minister Pralhad Joshi in Delhi. Bajwa cautioned of an "impending agrarian crisis that could spiral out of control".
Bajwa said Mann should have met PM Narendra Modi and Joshi six months ago. Making accusations of a "well thought out conspiracy" by BJP and Mann, Bajwa alleged that the crisis was being created with an intention to force farmers to go for distress sale and help the industrial house of Adani buy the produce at cheap prices as "he has massive storage capacity with silos in Moga, Raikot and Kathunangal in Punjab".
Accusing Mann of playing a double game, Bajwa alleged, "He is inexperienced... he is a stand-up comedian, Punjab is paying a price for it. His one hand is with Kejriwal and the other with home ministry." He alleged Mann was powerless and the Punjab govt was run from Delhi by Kejriwal.
"I hold Arvind Kejriwal, Mann and central govt responsible for this crisis, which will also create a law and order situation," Bajwa said at a press conference in New Delhi. He sought the immediate intervention of the Centre, alleging that 185 lakh metric tonne of paddy was expected to arrive in mandis (markets) but there was no space available in godowns across the state, as previous stocks had not been cleared.
Bajwa alleged the CM, like a "brand ambassador", propagated the use of PR-126 and similar hybrid varieties of paddy which farmers sowed at his instance ultimately leading to the present crisis.
"Now it has been revealed that this variety yields about 5kg less rice per quintal after milling, as compared to traditional varieties. This will cause losses to rice millers to the tune of Rs 6,000 crore. They refuse to mill the paddy till they are compensated," Bajwa said and asked who will compensate the millers.
He referred to the issue of commission for the 'arhtiyas' (commission agents). He said the arhtiyas were protesting and refusing to purchase the produce in the mandis.
Congress's attack on AAP and BJP for allegedly waking up too late to speed up procurement and clear stocks came on the same day Mann met Union food minister Pralhad Joshi in Delhi. Bajwa cautioned of an "impending agrarian crisis that could spiral out of control".
Bajwa said Mann should have met PM Narendra Modi and Joshi six months ago. Making accusations of a "well thought out conspiracy" by BJP and Mann, Bajwa alleged that the crisis was being created with an intention to force farmers to go for distress sale and help the industrial house of Adani buy the produce at cheap prices as "he has massive storage capacity with silos in Moga, Raikot and Kathunangal in Punjab".
Accusing Mann of playing a double game, Bajwa alleged, "He is inexperienced... he is a stand-up comedian, Punjab is paying a price for it. His one hand is with Kejriwal and the other with home ministry." He alleged Mann was powerless and the Punjab govt was run from Delhi by Kejriwal.
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