Punjab minister Sikander Singh Maluka was today prevented from addressing a gathering here by agitating farmers seeking adequate compensation for crop loss.
Punjab Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Sikander Singh Maluka was scheduled to address a public gathering here in connection with the November 23 'Sadbhavna rally' by ruling SAD.
But the programme was disrupted by farmers under the banner of Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan), who accused the state government of turning deaf ears towards their demand.
"We were protesting against the Cabinet minister by holding black flags as part of our agitation against the SAD-BJP led government which has failed to accept our demands," BKU (Ugrahan) Bathinda President, Shingara Singh Mann said.
Mann alleged that Akali supporters hit them with sticks, injuring five persons.
Police said protesters were dispersed with mild cane charge as they were trying to disrupt the minister's programme.
"We have arrested six women and five men under relevant provision of the law for breach of peace," a police official said.
The protesting farmers had also forced another Punjab minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon to skip a foundation stone laying function at Khokhar village here on November 14, following which a clash had broken out between farmers and policemen, leaving at least a dozen persons injured.
The farmers have been demanding Rs 40,000 per acre compensation for crop damaged by whitefly attack, Rs 20,000 per family compensation for farm labourers, Rs 4,500 per quintal rate for Basmati PUSA 1509 variety, Rs 5,000 per quintal for Basmati PUSA 1121.
They had last month announced to gherao Akali ministers, MLAs and other party leaders whenever they visit affected villages in the state.
(REOPENS DES51)
Meanwhile, Singh said the government is committed to develop a well-planned strategy on the SYL issue to safeguard the rights of the state.
He said his priority would be to honour the promises made by Amarinder and the Punjab Congress in its manifesto.
"The SAD-BJP government failed to fight a strong legal battle on SYL. I have asked the Punjab Advocate General to frame a well-planned strategy to present the case during the March 28 hearing in the Supreme Court," said Singh.
On power tariff, he said a number of industrial units from state have moved out in the last 10 years because of the previous government's "mismanagement".
Singh said he has called a meeting to discuss the issue with officials concerned.
Under the leadership of the Chief Minister, the Congress was committed to put Punjab back on the fast track of economic growth and prosperity, he said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Rural Development and Panchayats Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa said the Punjab government will fulfil all the promises made to the public.
Brahm Mohindra today assumed charge as Health and Family Welfare, Medical Education and Research and Parliamentary Affairs Minister.
He said his focus would be on ensuring top notch health care facilities to the people as part of his zero tolerance approach towards diseases like Dengue and Chikungunya.
The minister said special emphasis would be laid on chalking out the road map to keep the hospitals adequately staffed to provide best medical care.
He said he would soon hold talks with the Medical Council of India to increase the number of MBBS and MD seats in college's in the state.
