CBI probe sought by BKU

BATHINDA, Nov 30: Alleging exploitation of the farmers by the nexus of procurement agencies, rice millers and commission agents in the pu...

BATHINDA, Nov 30: Alleging exploitation of the farmers by the nexus of procurement agencies, rice millers and commission agents in the purchase of paddy, the Bharti Kisan Union Lakhowal has demanded a CBI probe into the matter.

Talking to ENS after a BKU rally here this afternoon, BKU chief Ajmer Singh Lakhowal said that the government should immediately initiate a CBI probe to unmask the nexus which has allegedly duped the farmers of crores of rupees.

Lakhowal also demanded a similar inquiry into the sale of sub-standard super phosphate fertilizers by the unauthorised manufacturers. He alleged that due to the shortage of DAP fertilizer several farmers used the mixture of superphosphate and nitrogen fertilizers as an alternative of the DAP.

quot;Most of them were exploited in the process, as a number of traders manufacture this fertilizer without a valid licence to avoid taxes,quot; Lakhowal alleged. He said that the sub-standard fertilizers would have a direct bearing on the growth of wheat plants and henceforth on the final outcome.

Quoting the example of a Congress MLA and an industrialist who has been booked by the police for preparing sub-standard super phosphate, he alleged that the government was still sleeping over the issue.

He said that the Punjab government, headed by Parkash Singh Badal should learn a lesson from the Akali candidate8217;s defeat in the Adampur by-election.He attributed this defeat to the dithering attitude of the government on the demands of farmers.

quot;Had the Prime Minister announced a package of relief for the Punjab farmers against the damage of their paddy, then the situation could have been different,quot; he said.

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Lakhowal said that the BKU had given an unconditional support to the Akali Dal with the objective that the party would alleviate the woes of farmers, but nothing substantial had been done so far, he rued.

He said that if the grievances of farmers went unheard anymore they would be compelled to launch a state-wide agitation. He did not rule out the possibility of gheraoing ministers during their visit in the countryside.