Sarkaria takes dig at Sukhbir’s newfound love for farmers

Punjab Revenue and Rehabilitation Minister Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria on Wednesday took a dig at the Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal’s “newfound love” for farmers and his ignorance about ground realities.

“It is not surprising for someone like Sukhbir, otherwise fond of spending time and doing business in seven-star hotels only, to come out during election days and shed crocodile tears for farmers as during last 10 years, he never ever stepped out into any agricultural field,” said Sarkaria in a strong and scathing attack on SAD president.

Reacting to Sukhbir’s allegations that the government had not awarded any compensation nor ordered any ‘girdawari’ of muskmelon crop damaged due to hailstorm, Sarkaria said that the girdawari was ordered on May 2 itself and girdawari has been conducted in an area of 5254 acres where muskmelon crop has been damaged.

He said that compensation will be paid to farmers immediately after the election code of conduct is over.

“Just because you prefer to remain blissfully ignorant does not mean our government is not working,” he told Sukhbir, while adding that girdawari was going on and will be completed in few days only.

“But Sukhbir is either ignorant or is deliberately trying to mislead the farmers of Shahkot on the eve of by-election as, otherwise, he should know that no compensation can be announced or awarded till the process of election is complete in view of the code of conduct,” he said.

The Revenue Minister added that not only muskmelon farmers, but the maize growing farmers whose crops were also damaged due to hailstorm, will also be compensated. “Let me tell Sukhbir that not only muskmelon, but maize was also damaged and if you are really concerned about the plight of the farmers, you should have mentioned about them as well,” he added.