PRESS-RELEASE 22-07-09 The comments made b

PRESS-RELEASE 22-07-09

The comments made by Sh. Sharad Pawar Agriculture Minister in the Lok Sabha which were also reported in The Tribune newspaper on 21-07-09 about Mr. Badal’s meeting with over fixation of MSP for last year’s wheat are startling and have exposed Mr. Badal’s double faceted and pseudo character.

Narrating the contents of the meeting Sh. Pawar stated that the Punjab Chief Minister had suggested Rs. 1000 per quintal as MSP for last year’s wheat crop. Sh. Pawar further stated that he conveyed Mr. Badal’s suggestion to the Hon’ble Prime Minister who in turn fixed Rs. 1080 per quintal as MSP.

The congress party castigates Mr. Badal for pursuing dichotomy in politics, while on one hand he never misses an opportunity to criticize the central led Congress Govt. for not giving remunerative prices for crops to the farmers and on the other hand in private conversation with the Agriculture Minister of India Mr. Badal is content with Rs. 1000 as MSP.

The Congress also reminds Mr. Badal that at present the farmers of Punjab are reeling under a huge debt burden of Rs. 35000 crores and thus have taken to suicides in large numbers. The debt burden of Rs. 41585 per farm hold is highest in Punjab compared to an all India average of Rs. 12500. It is also noteworthy to mention here that while Punjab is passing through agrarian crises, the Badal clan has amassed wealth with 7 Star hotels and private aircrafts at their command.

The Congress further urges Mr. Badal to clarify his position vis-à-vis Sh. Pawar’s comments lest it would be presumed that the SAD is no more a party espousing the cause of the farmers and are only interested in vote politicking.