Chandigarh, January 2- The Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi government for its anti-farmers stance. He spoke clearly on Wednesday. The state government will strongly oppose any effort by the Centre to pass anti-farmers draconian laws through the back door.

Punjab has no role to play in these demands

The Chief Minister interacted with the media at his official residence. He said that for the last few months, farmer agitations have been ongoing at Shambhu and Khanori borders. He said that during last January and February farmers groups had detailed parleys with the centre government. The state government acted as a bridge. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the demands of the farmers are primarily concerned with the Union government. Punjab has no role to play in these demands.

CM Disappointed with Modi Government Inaction on Farmers

The Chief Minister expressed disappointment. He said it is unfortunate that the Modi led government formed at the centre. They have not shown any concern about the farmers. He said that now the union government is trying to bring back the black laws through the back door. Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that all the demands of the farmers are related to the Union government. Unfortunately, the Modi government is apathetic towards these demands.

Farmers’ Leader Dallewal’s Fast Continues, State Supports

The Chief Minister said that the fast by farmers leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal is going on. The union government is giving it a cold shoulder. However, the state government has deployed more than 50 doctors to take care of the farmer’s leader’s health. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he himself called Dallewal. He urged him to end his fast. The Union government has not made any effort to assuage the sentiments of food growers. He said that the Union government wants Dallewal and farmers to be removed from the protest site. This is despite the fact that they are not creating any law and order problem.

Union government is avoiding discussions with the farmers.

The Chief Minister expressed surprise. He noted that the Union government is avoiding discussions with the farmers. Furthermore, it is trying to put the onus on the state government. He said that the Union government is not making any effort to redress the grievances of the farmers. Instead, it is trying to fix the responsibility on them. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is ironic. Rather than solving problems of farmers, the Union government is ready to implement the draconian laws again. The Chief Minister stated that the state government will not support this move. It is against the interests of Punjab and its farmers. He said that the state government is already implementing the orders of the Supreme Court. These orders aim to save the precious lives of the farmers. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is a paradoxical situation. The issues of farmers are concerned with the centre. Haryana is using force on farmers. Punjab is being made accountable for that.

Dallewal’s life was too important for the country

The Chief Minister urged the farmers leader Dallewal to end his fast. He stated that Dallewal’s life was too important for the country. It was also crucial for the food growers. He said that the Union government is not making any efforts to even initiate dialogue with the farmers. This is despite the enormous contribution of farmers of Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the centre should change their haughty approach. They must also abandon their apathetic attitude. He urged them to open talks with all the stakeholders.

centre has not provided DAP fertilizers to the farmers

The Chief Minister said that the centre has not provided DAP fertilizers to the farmers. Additionally, rice from the state has not been lifted yet. However, he said that instead of solving these problems, the union government is creating a rift in the state. This is especially evident between farmers and the government. Such a situation is intolerable. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that his government is giving the highest SAP to sugarcane cultivators. Efforts are being made to lift the water level in the state. Additionally, more efforts are being made to make agriculture a profitable venture. The Chief Minister said that Punjab neither needs an air ambulance nor extra force to tackle the farmers’ agitation. The centre should open dialogue with all stakeholders, especially with farmers. He said that the hard earned peace of the state should be maintained by all means. He added that the centre should not stoop too low just to take advantage in Delhi assembly polls. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the union government is avoiding resolving this issue. It does so by holding parleys with the farmers.

they are ignoring every demand of the farmers.

The Chief Minister said that he is daily flagging off this issue with the union government. However, they are ignoring every demand of the farmers. He said that agriculture is a state subject. The union government is trying to thrust its decision on the state. This is unjustified. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Modi government regularly uses force to implement its decisions. He added that Modi has time to act as a global leader. However, Modi doesn’t want to solve problems faced by the countrymen.