Haryana government should take back increased fees of cattle fairs, says Bhupinder Singh Hooda

CHANDIGARH: Former Haryana chief minister and leader of opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda has said that the state government is persecuting the farmers and the poor even in times of recession, inflation and pandemic.
Hooda has strongly objected to the new system made by the government for cattle fairs which has increased the fees of cattle fairs from Rs 10-20, directly to 1,000 rupees or 4% fee on purchase and sale.
"This will put a heavy burden on the livestock farmers of the state. People of all sections are expecting some relief during the recession and pandemic, but the government is recovering every penny possible from them,” he said.
"The government, which has already collected huge taxes from the public, has now turned to poor farmers who raise cattle to supplement their income. Not only this, the government has given the responsibility of all the fairs to a single contractor,” he added and demanded an inquiry to find out why the government bypassed the government process to benefit the contractor as he sought an immediate withdrawal of the fee hike in cattle fairs.
Hooda said that the government has also targeted the poor of the state along with the cattle farmers as the poor now have to deal with market forces. “First, the pulses were stopped, after that the subsidy on gas cylinders was abolished, now from the month of June, they have stopped giving mustard oil on the ration card,” he said.
Apart from this, the leader of opposition has drawn the attention of the government towards the supply of black fungus medicine.
"The government has formed a state level committee, which is operating from the state headquarter Panchkula. In such a situation, it is taking 2 to 3 days to reach the medicine at the district level. This delay is proving fatal for the patients. We urge the government to ensure the availability of medicines at the district level under the direction of the state level committee so that the patients suffering from this deadly disease can get adequate medicine on time," he added.