Punjab Agriculture Minister: ‘Tempers will flare up if something happens to Dallewal…If Centre could meet protesting farmers in Feb, why not now?’

Excerpts from an interview with The Indian Express:

* You have been raising the issues of the agitating farmers. Has there been any outcome?

I raised the issue with the Union minister (Chouhan) at a virtual pre-Budget meeting (on Sunday). He assured me that he would call me personally and discuss the issue. I told him that Dallewal is on a fast-unto-death and that the situation is worrisome.

He heard me out. He said he would call me for a meeting. But I have not heard from him yet. I am hoping he will call me, I want to put my point of view across strongly. The farmers need to be heard. Maybe, he (Chouhan) was not able to write (back to me) as it was the weekend. Today (January 6) is Gurpurab. I am in my village. I am hoping he will call me soon.

* Earlier, on December 20, you wrote a letter to Chouhan seeking his intervention. Was there a response?

In my letter, I highlighted how Dallewal’s life was in danger and spoke of the demands of the agitating farmers. I sought Chouhan’s help to initiate a dialogue between the Centre and the farmers. I also told him that his intervention was required to find a way out of this impasse. However, 17 days have passed… and I have not got any reply. It is strange that the Union Agriculture Minister is not responding to a letter by a state Agriculture Minister.

* Is the AAP divided over the issue? While Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is taking an aggressive stand and saying the BJP would be held responsible if something happened to Dallewal, you are requesting the Centre for a meeting…

There is no dichotomy. The CM has also been saying that there should be a dialogue. I am writing to the Centre as the Agriculture Minister of the state. It is my responsibility to write to him. The party has asked me to discharge my duty.

* Why is Punjab looking to the Centre to sort out the issues of farmers?

Because the issue is related to the Centre. Farmer leaders are themselves saying their issue is with the Centre. They have never held the state (Punjab) responsible. Punjab produces foodgrains for the Central pool… The Centre has to sort out the grievances of the farmers. The MSP is a guarantee that the Centre can give. They should.

* What if the Centre does not initiate a dialogue with the protesting farmers?

Dallewal’s condition is worrisome. If something happens to him, tempers will flare up in Punjab. The Union government should offer a solution. They should at least invite these leaders for talks. Dallewal has already told the government that he would seek medical help if he receives a written invite for a meeting by the Centre. If the Centre could hold meetings with these farmers in February, why can’t they hold meetings now? What is stopping the Centre now?

* What are your proposals to deal with this impasse?

I told the Agriculture Minister that solutions are possible. Right now, governments, including the state and Centre, spend Rs 1 lakh per acre for growing paddy and producing rice. This involves free power, MSP, transportation, milling and everything else. If the Centre is ready to give us Rs 60,000-70,000 per acre for other crops, we will be able to diversify (from paddy). Punjab is becoming a desert because of growing water-guzzling paddy.

I also took up the issue of the step-motherly treatment being meted out to Punjab by successive governments at the Centre. Punjab was key to the green revolution, but now it is suffering… The farmers are well within their rights to make these demands. They should be heard. Dallewal’s fast has crossed 40 days. His protest should be considered sympathetically. There were several issues that needed to be taken up. But at this juncture, the most important issue is Dallewal’s fast-unto-death.