Punjab CM Amarinder writes to PM Modi, seeks continuation of existing mode of payment to farmers

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 3

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Saturday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking continuance of the existing system of payment to farmers till a consensus can be evolved on the issue of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Asserting that Arhtiyas are not middlemen between the farmers and the procurement agencies, but are service providers, the Chief Minister urged the Prime Minister to ensure that the livelihood of the farmers and all others involved in the smooth procurement of food grains is not jeopardised.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Captain Amarinder also sought a meeting to apprise him about the concerns of various stakeholders about changing the existing payment system “before the situation gets out of hand”. On behalf of the Government of Punjab, he assured Modi of his complete support towards evolving a consensus amongst the stakeholders for long- term durable reforms.

Expressing concern over recent efforts to “rock” the legally sanctioned, and well-established institutional and social arrangements through some guidelines and directives of the Government of India, the Chief Minister said he had noticed a pattern in some of the recent one-sided decisions and steps taken by the Government of India.

He added that as a soldier and a farmer himself, he “would like to highlight the risks and threats that are likely to be posed for the ‘food security’ of the nation as a result of some of these decisions for being completely detached from ground realities of farming in this part of the country”. Recalling the role of the hard-working farmers of Punjab, Haryana and Western UP in ushering in the green revolution and ensuring national food security, he said that security systems and defenses are built over decades, but can be compromised and demolished in moments.

“While I fully endorse the views that as a society, and as nation we have to continuously evolve and reform, and as the political leadership of the world’s largest democracy, we have to continuously think of improving, but I strongly believe that reforms are most successful and sustainable if carried out through a consultative process with all stakeholders, ensuring ownership of all,” the Chief Minister said in his letter.