Chandigarh/Nawanshahr, October 22:
Punjab’s Minister for Local Government, Dr. Ravjot Singh, has blamed the central government’s negligence for the delay in lifting paddy from the mandis. While attending a parent-teacher meeting at the School of Eminence, Nawanshahr, Dr. Singh responded to questions from journalists about the non-lifting of paddy and stated that there is no shortcoming on the part of the Punjab government. He pointed out that the entire state administration, including the Chief Minister, is actively working on the ground in the mandis (grain markets).
He attributed the delays to the central government’s laxity, adding that “The central government deliberately seeks to disrupt the peace and well-being of Punjab’s farmers.” He further explained that instead of ensuring the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the farmers, the central government is intentionally delaying the timely lifting of crops, which is causing financial losses for farmers.
Dr. Ravjot Singh emphasized that the Punjab government has consistently written to the central government on this matter, and the Chief Minister has personally met with officials to resolve the issue. Despite these efforts, the central government has not cleared Punjab’s warehouses, choosing instead to engage in political maneuvering. He appealed to the central government to address this issue of paddy lifting as soon as possible.
