Punjab MP criticizes own govt for non-payment of dues to sugarcane farmers

Punjab Congress’s MP, Partap Singh Bajwa has written an open letter to Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh, raising questions about the non-payment of dues to sugarcane farmers who opted for crop diversification. Bajwa said in the letter that about 70000 sugarcane farmers were not paid dues in 2 seasons which amounted to Rs 681.48 crores. He urged the CM to intervene in the matter.

New Delhi:Punjab Govt has directed farmers for crop diversification and asked to switch from wheat and paddy to other crops like cotton, maize, etc. Punjab Agriculture Dept suggested that crop diversification will help to save water and deal with the labour crisis in the state after the pandemic outbreak. Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh had also requested farmers to consider crop diversification but now Punjab Congress’s MP, Partap Singh Bajwa, has raised questions over non-payment of dues to sugarcane farmers who opted for crop diversification.

In an open letter to Punjab CM, Bajwa wrote that about 70000 sugarcane farmers are not paid dues in 2 seasons which amounts to 681.48 crores. The unpaid amount for 2018-19 is 96.36 crore and for 2019-20 it is 585.12 crore. Sugarcane purchase in state is made by private and cooperative mills. As per the Sugarcane Control order and clause of Sugarcane Purchase and Regulation act, the sugar mills should make payments within 14 days of purchase of sugarcane.

Partap Singh Bajwa said, "I am writing this open letter to Punjab CM. Punjab Govt is raising issues like depletion of soil layers and fertility. Level of water is decreasing rapidly. Farmers who opted for crop diversification are waiting for payments. They aren’t asking for any charity. I approached Punjab Govt but it was of no help. I urge Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh to intervene. These farmers also helped in your Govt formation.”

This open letter to Punjab CM by Pratap Bajwa is signed by MLA Qadian Fateh Jang Singh Bajwa, MLA Sri Hargobindpur Balwinder Singh Laddi & MLA Bhoa Joginder Pal. This is not the first time Bajwa is taking on his own party leaders. Earlier he wrote a letter to open industries and reconsider sending migrants back. He claimed it will hit the economy of state after lockdown opening. Bajwa criticised own govt in sacrilege matter.

Bajwa and Capt Amarinder are political opponents. Capt Amarinder Singh was removed from the post of Punjab Congress Chief after the party lost two assembly polls in 2007 and 2012. Bajwa was made chief of state but before 2017 Bajwa was removed and Capt Amarinder was made state head. Bajwa has been a constant critic of Punjab Govt under the leadership of Capt Amarinder Singh.

In Jan 2020, Bajwa had called for “Capt Mukat Congress” (Congress without Capt) in Punjab and council of ministers demanded disciplinary action against Bajwa for his remarks.