Chandigarh – The former Congress President Navjot Sidhu visited the grain market of Machhiwara Sahib in district Ludhiana to check the wheat yield and procurement process.
Sidhu said the farmers of Punjab have no other option but to bring the yield in these ‘mandis’.Sidhu forwarded some demands to BJP led centre government in support of farmers.
He said there is 25% decline reported in the availability of wheat in International market due to Russia and Ukraine war.He said it hardly matters if farmers have to face a situation of shrivelled wheat grain this season. But it is a fact that the cost of wheat has gone upto Rs 3500 per quintal due to ongoing conflict.
He further said that any procurement agency lifting the yeild would be selling it with the profit of Rs. 1500. The private players are also lifting the yield. He further said the farmer should get more profit of Rs. 400 to Rs. 500 in the present situation.
He said if government is not ready to do this then there is another wayout to support farmers by opening international borders of India. It is quite straight that the farmer’s yield that is lifted for Rs.2000 by the agency could be sold at the cost of Rs. 3500 per quaintal and basmati rice that is lifted for Rs. 3000 could be sold at Rs. 7000 per quaintal.
Taking dig on the present Bhagwant Mann government on the issue of electricity, Sidhu said AAP government has set aside the poll promise of 300 units free electricity to every household in the state. Furthermore, state is bearing electricity cuts for around 8 long hours. The total requirement of electricity in the Punjab is 8000 mega watt and the requirement would increase upto 15000 mega watts during paddy sowing season, he added.
