Chandigarh: Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Wednesday passed a resolution recommending the state government to approach the Centre for implementing the recommendations of Swaminathan Commission report, which suggested 50 per cent profit over and above the input cost to farmers.
On the last day of the Budget session, the resolution was moved by Punjab Parliamentary Affairs Minister Madan Mohan Mittal, saying, "This House strongly recommends to the state government to approach the Central Government to implement the recommendations of Dr Swaminathan Committee concerning the farmers."
After the resolution was moved, Congress Legislature Party leader Sunil Jakhar pressed for implementing the report of Swaminathan Commission while describing farming as "unviable" because of lack of non-remunerative prices.
"Farming is now no more viable and farmers are not finding it profitable," Jakhar said while accusing BJP-led Centre of not implementing the Swaminathan Commission report despite having promised the same to voters before the elections.
Citing example of cotton, basmati, guar prices dropping by almost 25-30 per cent this season as compared to last season, he pointed out that farmers have been suffering because of "lesser" prices being fetched for their crops which has added to their woes.
"Maize crop which was promoted by the state government could fetch only Rs 850-900 per quintal as against MSP of Rs 1,350 per quintal," he said.
Pitching for making farming "sustainable" and providing
remunerative prices to farmers, the CLP leader suggested that the state government considered introducing a viability gap funding for farmers to compensate the difference between MSP and actual crop prices.
"We should think over what can we do for farmers. Can we consider launching viability gap funding to mitigate the woes of farmers," he asked the treasury benches.
Jakhar also asked deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to invite noted farm scientist Dr Swaminthan to Punjab for seeking his suggestions to help out the state farmers.
Punjab Agriculture Minister Tota Singh also expressed concern over "pitiable" condition of farmers and suggested that the Centre should devise a "system" for mitigating the woes of farming community.
The state minister said farming community not only in Punjab but across the country are facing problems.
"Unless the Swaminathan Commission report is implemented, the distressed farmers could not be saved," he asserted.
On power subsidy, Singh ruled out the possibility of withdrawing it from farmers, claiming that growers in Punjab are "unable" to pay electricity bills in the state.
"Had we not supported our farmers with free power, the debt burden of our farmers would have swelled to Rs 70,000-72,000 crore from Rs 30,000 crore," he said.
BJP MLA Manoranjan Kalia accused the previous UPA led Centre of failing in taking care of the interest of farming community during their regime.
"Why did not they implement Swaminathan Commission report during their regime," he asked while pointing out opposition benches.
He praised the Narendra Modi-led government for not ratifying the trade facilitation agreement with WTO which could have restricted India from giving subsidy to farmers.
Congress MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh asked the treasury benches to ensure Rs 300-400 per quintal to farmers till the Swaminathan Commission report is implemented.
