Punjab Govt Disagrees With the Centre’s New Agri-Marketing Policy: Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian
Report by Jag Mohan Thaken
20 January 2025, Chandigarh: Expressing disagreement with the Centre’s new Agricultural marketing policy, Punjab Agriculture Minister, Gurmeet Singh Khudian, said that the farmer could not store the crop for a long time in wait for the handsome price of grain in the open market. He said that there are more than 1800 mandis/procurement centers in Punjab that cannot run with this new system. Therefore, the state government does not agree with this new marketing policy to safeguard the interests of farmers.
Showing his concern over the non-acceptance of agitating farmers’ demands by the central government, Minister Khudian said that the central Govt should accept their demands without having an indifferent approach to the farmers. Keeping in mind the health of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on an indefinite hunger strike, he urged the Centre government to consider the demands of the farmers.
AAP Punjab spokesperson Harsukhinder Singh Babbi Badal appreciated the decision of the Bhagwant Mann government to refuse the implementation of the new draft of the agriculture marketing policy suggested by the Centre.
Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian Friday laid a foundation stone of Sub Yard of Dana Mandi at Saneta village in Mohali. He said that this sub yard will be built in 5 acres at a cost of Rs 2.5 crore, which will be completed within 6 months.
Addressing the gathering after laying the foundation stone, S. Khudian said that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government has given a major relief to the farmers of more than 20 villages in the nearby area by approving the construction of this sub-yard. He said that earlier, due to the lack of a dana mandi (procurement center) in Saneta, the farmers were forced to sell their crops on the roadside. When he was informed by MLA Kulwant Singh about the issue, he immediately directed the officials of the Punjab Mandi Board to start it by removing all the hiccups in the construction of the Saneta sub yard. He said that today the long pending demand of the area has been fulfilled. He congratulated the gram panchayat of Saneta village for the generosity shown in the year 2011 by giving the panchayat land for the same.
Minister Khudian said that three auction platforms, one big shed, 71 shops and booths, a water tank and water disposal will be constructed in this mandi. He said that earlier the arrival of 60000 quintals of paddy and 33000 quintals of wheat was recorded in this mandi, which will enhance the arrival of more foodgrains with the completion of construction of the new market. He said that this market will give major relief to the urban area from the issue of traffic during the procurement season.
He said that the state is making all-out efforts to ensure the availability of quality seeds and fertilizers in Punjab.
Councillor Sarabjit Singh Samana, while welcoming Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian on behalf of MLA Kulwant Singh, said that the setting up of Saneta sub yard was a big challenge and problem for the area, which has been met today with the kicking off of this project by the Bhagwant Mann government. He also demanded that the newly built building of Saneta Hospital should be opened soon, on which the Minister of Agriculture, assured to meet Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh.
Also Read: Rallis India records Q3FY25 revenue of ₹ 522 Cr
Please reach out at info@krishakjagat.org, nimishgangrade@krishakjagat.org if you would like to share your company story or advertise in the upcoming issue of Global Agriculture magazine.
(For Latest Agriculture News & Updates, follow Krishak Jagat on Google News)
(+80 Million Farming Audience Visits Krishak Jagat’s Hindi Website – Click Here for Website)