Amarinder blames govt for distress sale of wheat

Congress leader and MP Amarinder Singh today blamed the Akali-BJP government in Punjab for the alleged distress sale of wheat by farmers as the state agencies "failed" to procure the produce on time.
He warned that the farmers will be forced to come out on roads and it will be difficult for the government to control the situation.
"It is double whammy for farmers as on the one hand they faced heavy losses to their crops due to bad weather and now they are being forced to go for distress sale," Amarinder said in a statement issued here.
"Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal neither has a will nor any intent to look for the welfare of the farmers," he observed, adding, otherwise it should not be a big problem to make timely payment to the farmers.

Questioning the state agencies for not buying wheat on time, he said during his government, it was ensured that the farmers were paid for their produce within 24 hours.
"It only needs concern and better planning, both of which this government lacks," he added.