Amarinder Singh attacks Punjab govt over suicides by farmers

Punjab Congress president Capt. Amarinder Singh has accused the Badal government of pushing the debt-ridden farmers to commit suicide through its anti-farmer policies.

Demanding an explanation from the SAD government for its failure to prevent suicides by the farming community in the state, Capt. Amarinder said the Badals were following a clear policy of discrimination against the farmers, whose interests had been completely relegated to the background.

“They (the Badals) don’t care for the plight of the farmers who are facing an unprecedented crisis as a result of the heavy debts they are carrying due to the government’s non-friendly policies,” said the Punjab Pradesh Congress Commit-tee president. The state government’s failure to ensure timely procurement of the farmers’ produce has aggravated their woes, said Captain Amarinder, pointing out that the farming community was caught in a trap of the government’s making.

Reiterating his commitment to waive off their debts once his government is in power, Captain Amarinder has once again assured the farmers that their plight would end with the forthcoming Assembly elections in about four months’ time. He again appealed to the farmers to have faith in him and to refrain from taking such an extreme step.

Demanding an explanation from Mr Badal for his failure to prevent suicides, Captain Amarinder warned him of serious consequences of his government’s anti-people policies in the state.

“The people of Punjab will not forgive you,” he said.

On a visit to mandis in Attari and Raja Sansi areas of Amritsar district, Captain Amarinder said he was extremely distressed at the situation and had already directed party leaders and workers to go to the ground to interact with the suffering farmers.

Nearly 600 party workers are currently engaged in a door-to-door campaign, interacting with farmers who are reeling under debt burden, as part of the Congress party’s mega farmer outreach campaign 'Karza Kurki Khatam - Fasal Di Poori Rakam’ (loan waiver, maximum price for crop).