*SAD demands Committee on MSP be recast to include representatives from Punjab and agri experts*
*Dr Daljit S Cheema calls for ensuring guarantee of assured purchase on MSP*
Chandigarh, July 19 – The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today demanded the centre recast the Committee on Minimum Support Price to include all stakeholders including representatives from Punjab as well as agri-experts.
In a statement here, SAD Spokesman Dr Daljit Singh Cheema also asserted that the government should have avoided nominating members who were the architects of the farm laws including its Chairman Sanjay Agrawal who was the former Agriculture Secretary and Member (Agriculture) NITI Aayog Ramesh Chand. “Members with different mindsets and perspectives are the need of the hour as we now need to think beyond the farm laws which have been revoked and bring in changes as per the wish of the farming community. Starting from a clean slate is the need of the hour”, the SAD leader said adding the committee should include representatives who do not have any conflict of interest.
Dr Daljit Cheema also highlighted the need to not only finalize minimum support price (MSP) guarantee but guarantee of assured purchase on MSP. “This is a necessity as the central government has earmarked MSP for all crops but only wheat and paddy are being purchased on MSP. This issue should be discussed first and finalized and implemented to the satisfaction of farmers. Other recommendations can be given later”.
