CHANDIGARH, APRIL 4: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that the state was expecting a fair deal from Prime Minister A B Vajpayee.Talking to media persons after his return from the United States, Badal said that his Government would prepare a detailed note within listing the various economic and political issues to be discussed with the prime minister at a formal meeting.Badal, who called on Vajpayee during last night's stop-over in Delhi, reportedly impressed upon the prime minister the need to hike the procurement price of wheat to Rs 610 per quintal. He told the prime minister that the current market conditions were not conducive for the procurement of wheat at the rate of Rs 455 per quintal, the price announced by the Centre.He pointed out that 90 per cent of Punjab farmers had small holdings and were in debt and could not afford to produce wheat at the low price fixed by the Centre. Badal also sought the PM's intervention for the speedy movement of foodgrains from the state.Thechief minister today told mediapersons that his party would finalise the political agenda - to be discussed with the PM - in consultation with the Political Affairs Committee of the Akali Dal.Commenting on the strengthening of the BJP-led Govt at the Centre, in which the Akali Dal is a partner, Badal called upon the Telugu Desam Party and other allies of the BJP to join the Government.
