By He was reacting to reports that at a gathering persisted Wednesday, the Kisan unions had issued an ultimatum to the government for convening a session of the Vidhan Sabha to amend laws for countering the Centre’s agricultural legislations.
Hours after farmers gave a one-week ultimatum to Chief Minister Amarinder Singh to call a special Vidhan Sabha session to reject farm laws, threatening to otherwise ghearo Congress leaders, Amarinder rejected the ultimatum saying he will do what he feels is important within the interest of the farmers.
Amarinder had earlier said he would call a session of the Vidhan Sabha on the matter. On Wednesday, he said that an ultimatum can’t be allowed to force the govt into taking hasty steps. He reiterated that his sole interest was protecting the state’s farmers and therefore the farm sector in the least costs, and not in appeasing farmer organisations. The Chief Minister added that he will take whatever decisions needed within the best interest of the farming community.
He was reacting to reports that at a gathering persisted Wednesday, the Kisan unions had issued an ultimatum to the government for convening a session of the Vidhan Sabha to amend laws for countering the Centre’s agricultural legislations.
Amarinder made it clear that unions’ threat to gherao his residence or the homes of the state ministers and Congress leaders wouldn’t force him into taking any decision which can eventually end up to be detrimental to the interests of the farmers.
He acknowledged that he had taken suggestions of these unions a couple of days back on the way forward on the farm laws, and would make sure that nothing is allowed to obstruct his government’s efforts to save lots of the livelihood of the farmers and secure the long term of their children.
On the choice of the kisan unions to not heed his appeal to permit goods trains to pass amid their `rail roko’ protests, the Chief Minister said it had been regrettable since by not relaxing their agitation, these organisations were damaging the interests of the farmers also because of the state.
The government must urgently transport foodgrain, coal, fertilizer and petroleum on priority, besides lifting the paddy grain from the mandis, that the RBI had already authorised the primary tranche of the around Rs 30,220 crore against credit limit till October end, he pointed, urging the unions to not endanger the farmers’ interest by their decision. The balance CCL of the entire Rs 35,552 crore are going to be released after revision at the top of the month while sanctioning the quantity for November.
The Chief Minister said if the present stocks of wheat and rice weren’t lifted from the godowns, there would be no storage capacity left for subsequent harvest. Further, he noted that the state’s coal stocks were critical, and if not replenished soon there would be severe power shortages, which might hamper the wheat sowing operations.
Amarinder also acknowledged that with fertilizer stocks running low, potato sowing would even be adversely affected. With blockades at petrol stations, oil flow was also getting affected, which might impact the movement of tractors and therefore the produce, he added.
The CM said that while his government was totally committed to fighting shoulder to shoulder with the farmers in their fight for his or her survival, these decisions of the kisan unions weren’t within the interest of the farmers. they might cause immense hardship to the farmers themselves, aside from the standard citizens of Punjab.
“This may be a collective fight, that all political parties should join hands with the protesting farmers and therefore the government,” he said, urging the kisan unions to reconsider their decisions within the larger interest of the state and its people, including the farmers.
Latest News and updates, Follow and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin
Get the latest updates directly on your mobile, save and send a message at +91-9899909957 on Whatsapp to start
