Chandigarh, October 21, 2024 — The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has announced a meeting of its core committee, the party’s top decision-making body, set for Tuesday as the gathering aims to devise a strategy for the upcoming bypolls in four assembly constituencies scheduled for November 13, as well as the SGPC office-bearers’ election taking place on October 28.
SAD vice-president Daljit Singh Cheema shared the news on the micro-blogging platform X, stating, “The meeting will discuss in detail about the upcoming four by-elections. It will also finalize our strategy regarding the annual elections of SGPC office-bearers scheduled for October 28.”
In addition to the electoral discussions, the party will address the “major crisis” surrounding paddy procurement in the state. Cheema said, “The paddy is being neither purchased nor lifted from mandis. The farmers are facing the worst-ever crisis.”
This meeting will be chaired by party working president Balwinder Singh Bhundar, as the SAD prepares to navigate these critical challenges.
The Punjab paddy procurement issue revolves around the state’s inability to effectively purchase and lift paddy from mandis, leading to significant distress among farmers. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has acknowledged this crisis, emphasizing the need for prompt action to ensure farmers receive fair prices for their produce.
To address the situation, he has initiated talks with various stakeholders, including the Food Corporation of India, to streamline procurement processes and expedite payments. Mann’s government is also focusing on enhancing infrastructure in mandis to facilitate smoother operations and alleviate the burden on farmers during the harvest season.
