Farm bodies oppose expert group's suggestions to revive economy

Bathinda: Several farm organisations of Punjab have termed the recommendations made by a group of experts formed to devise a strategy for post-Covid revival of the state’s economy as “anti-farmer” and “anti-farming”.

The group of experts, headed by noted economist and former deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, submitted to the state government its first set of recommendations in the form of a report on July 31, while the final report is expected by year-end.

The farm bodies said the report “Medium and long-term post-Covid economic strategy for Punjab — A multi-sectoral approach to building resilience and recovery” is more focussed towards corporate houses, industrialists and businessmen than farmers.

They have urged the Punjab government not to implement the report, saying this will further hamper their interests.

Farmer organisation Krantikari Kisan Union (KKU) president Darshan Pal said, “The experts have suggested framing of laws for leasing out lands of farmers to corporate houses and big companies and also suggested changing the laws for leasing out lands for 30 years instead of the present five years. It has also been suggested to amend laws to allow the agricultural lands to be used for non-agricultural purposes.”

He further said the suggestion of experts to decrease the subsidy bill by decreasing the area under paddy is also anti-farmer.

“The subsidy provides some relief to farmers, which, if withdrawn, would be disastrous as there is no marketing mechanism for diversified crops like maize. The suggestions are not much different than those suggested in the ordinances brought by the Union government, which we are already opposing. The committee’s suggestions point towards privatisation of marketing and for closing the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees (APMCs),” said Pal.

Bhartiya Kisan Union (Lakhowal) general secretary Harinder Singh Lakhowal also opposed decreasing the farm subsidy.