New Delhi, Aug 11: Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately initiate steps for the repeal of the controversial farm Laws, and amendment to the relevant law for including farmers in free legal aid category.
The Chief Minister, who called on the Prime Minister here late Wednesday evening and submitted two separate letters, called for immediate review and revocation of the three Farm Laws that had triggered widespread resentment among farmers of Punjab and other states, who had been protesting at the Delhi borders since November 26 last year.
Pointing to the prolonged agitation, which had cost the lives of more than 400 farmers and farm workers, Capt Amarinder said the stir had the potential of posing security threats for Punjab and the country with Pak-backed anti-India forces looking to exploit the farmers’ disgruntlement with the Government.
Urging the Prime Minister’s intervention for expeditious redressal of the farmers’ legitimate concerns by the Union Government to explore an enduring solution, the Chief Minister said the continued agitation was not only impacting economic activities in Punjab but also had the potential to affect the social fabric, especially when political parties and groups take strong positions.
Capt Amarinder noted that he had earlier too, sought the Prime Minister’s appointment for a meeting with an All-Party delegation from Punjab. He underlined the need to compensate farmers for the management of paddy straw at the rate of Rs 100 per quintal and also to address the fears of DAP shortage, which could aggravate the farmers’ problems and the crisis triggered by the Farm Laws.
