Punjab BJP delegation meets Governor, submits memo blaming AAP govt for 'tardy' paddy lifting

Punjab BJP delegation urges Governor to intervene for timely paddy lifting, highlighting government inefficiency and farmer hardships during Diwali.

A delegation of Punjab BJP leaders on Sunday (October 27, 2024) met Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and submitted a memorandum alleging inefficiency on part of the AAP government in the State for "tardy" paddy lifting.

The delegation urged the Governor to intervene and ensure the complete lifting of paddy from mandis as a "gift" to the farmers of the State so that they can "celebrate Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas with their families".

The memorandum said, "Due to inefficiency on the part of the Punjab government, even after 26 days of official commencement of paddy procurement, the Punjab government has failed to lift most of the paddy from the mandis across the State."

Paddy procurement for Kharif Marketing Season 2024-25 commenced in Punjab from October 1, according to the BJP delegation that included Avinash Rai Khanna, Preneet Kaur, Harjit Singh Grewal, Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi, Vijay Sampla, Vineet Joshi and Fateh Jang Bajwa.

"Before the commencement of the season, in the last week of September, Punjab government got ₹44,000 crore for the purchase of paddy on MSP from the central government," the memorandum said.

The BJP's memorandum further alleged that the Punjab government has miserably failed to make all the necessary arrangements on time to ensure the smooth purchase of paddy: be it the purchase of gunny bags, tarpaulin or notification of custom milling policy or notification of FRK (fortified rice kernels) milling policy or awarding of labour contracts or transportation contracts, etc.

The State government has also failed to ensure proper drinking water, toilet facilities, and compulsory medical facilities at mandis, the memorandum said.