Punjab’s leader of opposition in assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, has criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) state government for failing to procure moong (green gram) crop on minimum support price (MSP). Bajwa, who is the Congress MLA from Qadian, stated that the government had not fulfilled its responsibility of ensuring MSP to farmers, despite the CM’s persuasion. He further claimed that the AAP government barely bought any moong, while private players purchased the crop for prices below MSP.
According to Bajwa, farmers in some districts managed to sell the crop at Rs 5,800 per quintal, which was Rs 955 to Rs 755 below the MSP of Rs 7,755. He also remarked that the government’s purchase of moong this year fell 77% when compared to last year. Last year, he said, moong dal farmers were forced to sell 85% of the crop below the MSP. Bajwa stated that the CM failed to keep his word with the farmers.
Bajwa also criticized the government for failing to ensure the purchase of maize crops on MSP, despite summer maize harvesting being on in the state. Farmers were forced to sell the crop to private traders for Rs 1,500-1,550 per quintal, whereas the MSP on maize is Rs 1,962 per quintal.
The AAP government’s procurement of moong fell far below expectations this year, leading to farmers settling for prices substantially low than the MSP. The state government reportedly purchased only a negligible amount while private players took advantage of the situation. Bajwa’s scathing criticism has put the state government on the spot, highlighting the significant gap between policy and practice.
