INLD to observe 'black Diwali' against 'anti-people' policies

Haryana's main Opposition party INLD today said it will observe 'Black Diwali' to protest against the state government's "anti-people" policies and "cheating of farmers by denying them MSP".
"All sections of the society, be it farmers, traders, employees or the youth, are fed up with anti-people policies of the Khattar government. Therefore, the INLD has decided it observe black Diwali this year," said senior INLD leader Abhay Singh Chautala at a press conference here.
The Leader of Opposition said his party will boycott the state's golden jubilee celebrations on November 1, if the government fails to fulfil its promises.
"If they are really concerned about the welfare of people, then they should immediately increase old-age pension to Rs 2000 and give unemployment allowance to the youth.

"They should ensure adequate crop prices as per the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations and employees should be given pay scales at par with Punjab," he said, adding if they cannot take these steps, "we will boycott the celebrations".
He alleged the BJP government has failed to come out with a roadmap for the year-long celebrations from November 1 to October 31, 2017 to mark Haryana's 50-years of statehood.

"They are wasting nearly Rs 1,700 crore of public money (on the celebrations) to glorify their own and the party's image. They want to implement the RSS' agenda," Chautala alleged, adding the INLD could call 'Haryana bandh' anytime after November 15.

Chautala alleged as paddy arrivals at different 'mandis' (grain markets) in Haryana was picking up, farmers were facing tough times because they were not getting full minimum support price (MSP) for their crops.
"Farmers have told us they are being denied MSP on the pretext of high moisture content in their crops," he said.
"Farmers are being paid at least Rs 200-300 per quintal lesser than the MSP. The Centre has fixed MSP Rs 1,470 per quintal for common variety paddy and Rs 1,510 per quintal for Grade 'A' paddy," he claimed.
Demanding an inquiry Chautala said, "Millers have deployed their men to check moisture content in crops. They show the moisture content beyond the permissible limit of 17 per cent and then impose arbitrary cuts on MSP."

Chautala claimed as against Rs 1,330 per quintal MSP for bajra crop farmers were getting only Rs 1,220.
He also alleged that Khattar government was preparing to handover Panchayat land to big industrialists.
"In another 'Tughlaki farman' (order), the government has told Panchayats with revenue more than a crore that funds cannot be disbursed by the 'sarpanches' and it will be done by an executive engineer," he claimed.