Punjab Govt Pledges Farmers’ Welfare

by The_unmuteenglish

Chandigarh, 19 December 2024: Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian assured representatives of various farmers’ unions that the state government remains committed to protecting farmers’ interests amidst concerns over the proposed National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing Policy.

Speaking to the unions, Khudian acknowledged apprehensions surrounding the central government’s draft policy and its potential impact on Punjab and its agricultural community.

“The Punjab government is deeply concerned about the implications of this framework and aims to thoroughly analyze every aspect of it in consultation with stakeholders,” he said, adding that discussions with agricultural experts and other parties will be initiated to ensure no detail is overlooked.

Accompanying the minister were Additional Chief Secretary (Agriculture and Farmers Welfare) Anurag Verma, Chairman of Punjab State Farmers and Farm Workers Commission Dr. Sukhpal Singh, and Secretary of Punjab Mandi Board Ramveer.

They urged farmers to submit their suggestions and comments to the state Agriculture Department for consideration.

Farmers’ union leaders, including Joginder Singh Ugraha, Balbir Singh Rajewal, Dr. Darshan Pal, Ruldu Singh Mansa, and Dr. Satnam Singh Ajnala, raised concerns about potential privatization and monopolistic practices under the draft policy.

They claimed the framework could reintroduce elements of the repealed farm laws, which had been met with widespread protests before their withdrawal.

Union leaders appealed to the Punjab government to scrutinize the draft in its entirety before responding to the Centre to safeguard the state’s farmers and agricultural interests.

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