Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia today appealed to the central government to hold talks with agitating farmers and accept their demands instead of trying to reintroduce elements of the three repealed agriculture laws through the back door through a new notification.
Talking to newsmen here, the SAD leader said the draft on the new National Framework on Agricultural Marketing had raised apprehensions amongst farmers that the BJP led central government was seeking to again hand over agricultural marketing to private companies.
“A draft notification which has been released by the central government has asked all interested parties to give their suggestions within fifteen days. This is against the spirit of Prime minister’s assurance to the farming community while repealing the three black laws that any further decision on this matter would be taken in consonance with them”.
Stating that the draft resolution had come at a time when farmers were agitating in Delhi and were being prevented from proceeding to Delhi to present their demands to the union government, Mr Majtihia said “I appeal to the union government not to play with fire.
Kisan leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on a fast unto death, is in a precarious state and nothing should be done to aggravate the situation. The government should discuss the Draft notification with the farm leaders and the farming community before proceeding in this matter.
It should also implement the promise made to farmers to make MSP a legal guarantee”. Mr Majithia said the Draft notification had raised serious questions on federal autonomy. “Even though agriculture and agriculture marketing are State subjects, the union government wants to implement a one shoe fits all national policy.
This will undermine the authority of States, especially those like Punjab who have a robust agriculture marketing infrastructure and a procurement system to purchase foodgrains”. He said experts had also pointed out that the Draft policy also did not talk about international marketing of food grains as well as issue of export duties and bans imposed on exports which had caused immense losses to farmers during the last several years.
The Akali leader, when questioned about panthic unity, said he stood for unity in the panth and said all factions of the SAD should unite again. He said this was needed to raise the voice of Punjab as well as fulfill the regional aspirations of its people.
He said this would also help to resolve pending issues of the State including protection of its River waters, transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab, opening of the Wagah border for trade, resolution of the problems being faced by farmers as well as ensure communal harmony.