Congress Rejects Committee On MSP, Terms It As 'Farcical Attempt' Aimed At 'Trivialising' Serious Issues

Sukhpal Singh Khaira alleged that the government does not appear to be sincere in its purpose to address the agrarian crisis.

All India Kisan Congress Chairman Sukhpal Singh Khaira during press conference (Source: File photo/Getty)

New Delhi: All India Kisan Congress Chairman Sukhpal Singh Khaira has dismissed the recently constituted committee on Minimum support price (MSP) discribing as a farcical attempt. “There is no mention of legal guarantee for the MSP in the terms of reference, thus defeating the very purpose of setting it up”, said Sukhpal Singh Khaira in a statement issued on Wednesday.

Khaira condemned the exclusion of Punjabi farmers from the committee saying, “keeping Punjabi farmers, out of any agriculture/farm committee is not acceptable, as Punjabi farmers have given their sweat and blood for Green Revolution in the country and ensured food security to the nation when it was importing wheat from abroad,” as reported by news agency PTI.

The president of the Kisan Wing, Khaira extended his support to the SKM in announcing the dismissal of the committee and launching a protest against this “betrayal”. “Lakhs of farmers from across the country did not withdraw their protest to get betrayed by this government”, he said, while adding, that the Congress party will continue to support the farmers in whatever way they decide to protest, as it has always done in the past. “We will not let the government get away with such betrayal”, he warned.

The leader also alleged that the government does not appear to be sincere in its purpose to address the agrarian crisis.

"Otherwise it was a golden opportunity to set up a broad-based committee representing farmers and experts from across the country that could suggest ways and means to address the agrarian crisis in the country which can take an alarming turn," he said.

He also questioned the appointment of former Agriculture Secretary Sanjay Agarwal as the chairman of the committee who has no practical and on-the-ground knowledge or experience about agriculture and farming other than being the creator of 3 agricultural laws.

(With PTI inputs)