Demanding immediate repeal of the three farm laws, Former Minister and Present MLA Balbir Singh Sidhu on Wednesday said that these laws proved to be the last nail of BJPs coffin.Presiding over a District Level Kisan Mela and Exhibition organised by Agriculture Department, Mr. Sidhu said that farmers of the entire nation have been agitating since one year but Narendra Modi led Union Government has not paid heed towards their plight. He said that in fact everyone talks of grand plans for doubling farmers’ income by 2022 but in reality no one bothers about their plight for no concrete policies have been made for them. ‘’The use of force cannot solve the problem as it can’t muzzle their voice. Hence, it becomes imperative on the part of the Centre to recognise the pain, pangs and depth of farmers’ emotions and sentiments to reach out to them sensitively to find a viable mechanism to redress their genuine grievances,’’ he added.Three times consecutive MLA from Mohali constituency, Mr. Sidhu said that the Punjab Government has decided to summon the 16th Special Session of 15th Punjab Vidhan Sabha on November 8, 2021 to repeal the three black farm laws.
Highlighting the need of crop diversification during the Kisan Mela, Mr. Sidhu said that the adoption of crop diversification helps in conservation of natural resources besides to get best price for other crops such as rapeseed and cotton. He said that untimely downpour played havoc for farmers but the state government is committed to compensate the farmers and already ordered a special Girdawari to assess the damage. He also called agriculture scientists to develop such methods or pesticides/insecticides to control crops disease so that yield can’t be affected. He demanded Rs. 150 per quintal as bonus on paddy from the Union Government to manage the stubble in the field. On this occasion he urged farmers to take corrective measures to contain Dengue.Earlier, Mr. Sidhu also visited the exhibition conducted by various departments to showcase their products, policies and other pro people policies. Amongst others who were present during the Kisan Mela included Additional Deputy Commissioner (Urban Development) Pooja Grewal, Chairman Market Committee Kharar Harkesh Chand Sharma, Chief Agriculture Officer Rakesh Raheja, Baldev Singh Joint Director Agriculture (Inputs), Parminder Singh Associate Director KVK Mohali and ADO Gurdial Kumar and others.