Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said that the new agricultural policy to be released on June 30 this year will help to solve many problems of the farmers. He said that the new agriculture policy is being prepared with the suggestions of farmers, agricultural experts, farmer leaders, common people and representatives of different sections.
Dhaliwal while presiding over the nearly 4-hour long meeting regarding the demands of the Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) at Punjab Bhavan, said that the new agricultural policy is being prepared with the aim of boosting the economy of the farmers. Apart from this, the state government is also making continuous efforts to solve many problems of the farmers.
He said that under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab government is exploring the opportunities to export vegetables and other crops grown by farmers to neighboring countries. The Punjab government is working sincerely to fulfill this purpose, he added.
Regarding the demand made by the farmer leaders to release the dues of the sugar mills, Dhaliwal said that after meeting with the Chief Minister, the due amount would be disbursed to the sugarcane growers very soon. He assured the farmer leaders that the government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is taking significant steps to improve the economic conditions of the farmers and all the legitimate demands of the farmers will be met.
During meeting, many other matters, suggestions and demands were discussed and Dhaliwal issued instructions and directives to the officers of the concerned departments to solve the problems. The farmer leaders brought to the notice of the Minister that some of the family members of farmers who had attained martyrdom during the farmers' movement have not been given government jobs yet.
Dhaliwal immediately instructed the top officials of the agriculture department to complete the process and give the jobs to the eligible family members of farmers. He said that the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is committed to provide jobs and compensation to the members of farmers who attained martyrdom during the farmers' movement.
Dhaliwal further said that as per the announcement made by the Chief Minister, canal water will be released to all parts of the state until the paddy crop is planted. He said that Punjab government is paying special focus to strengthening the canal system.
A detailed discussion was also held with the farmer leaders about the use and conservation of rain water. Senior officials of Agriculture Department, Mandi Board, Revenue Department, Animal Husbandry Department and Police were present in the meeting.