Punjab facing economic curbs for opposing farm laws: Congress

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 28

Opposing the “confrontational attitude” being adopted by the Centre, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Sunil Jakhar today said the state was facing “sanctions for opposing the farm laws”.

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Jakhar met farmers in Chamiari village of Ajnala and Guruwali village of Attari constituencies, apprising them about the state’s Bills against the Central farm laws.

He said the Centre’s approach seemed to be to teach Punjab a “lesson”. “The reason being that CM Capt Amarinder Singh has dared to come out with a pro-farmer approach against the ‘black farm laws’,” he said.

Jakhar alleged conspiracies were being hatched to deprive the farmers of their lands and hand them over to big corporates could never be tolerated. He said the Centre was imposing economic sanctions on Punjab for taking steps to safeguard the interests of farmers.

“First, the arrears of Rs 9,500 crore of GST was revoked, and now to bring Punjab on its knees, Rs 1,100-crore Rural Development Fund has been witheld. But our government will stand by farmers, no matter how high the cost it has to pay.”

Pointing out that the struggle could continue for long, he said: “The PM should himself talk to farmers directly and assure them on the issue of MSP”. Harpartap Singh Ajnala MLA said: “Punjabis will fight till these laws are repealed.” Santokh Singh Bhalaipur, MLA, Baba Bakala, said CM Capt Amarinder Singh had sent out a strong message by getting the farm Bills passed.