Friday, March 29, 2024

Punjab

Farmer who told Rahul Gandhi plight of farmers commits suicide, Bajwa announces Rs. 2 lakh compensation

SWATI WALIA | June 11, 2015 11:02 AM

By Swati Walia
FATEHGARH SAHIB: A farmer Surjit Singh, a resident of village Dadumajra of district Fatehgarh Sahib who met Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi during his Sirhind grain market visit in April end today committed suicide by consuming some poisonous substance.

Surjit Singh briefed Rahul Gandhi about the problems faced by Punjab farmers when they were facing problems in selling their paddy and issue of famers committing suicide during his brief conversation with Rahul. Surjit Singh had taken loan from bank and other persons of around Rs 10 lakh but could not repay. He could not yield good result from his crop due to bad weather. He cultivated his land and even taken land on lease for agriculture purpose. Rahul after his Punjab visit raised the issue of farmers in Lok Sabha. When contacted Fatehgarh Sahib SSP Gurmeet Singh Randhawa he said the police has registered a case under section 174 of CrPC in farmer’s suicide case.

The Punjab Congress President, Partap Singh Bajwa, who attended the cremation, called upon the Narendra Modi government to concentrate on providing succour to the beleaguered farmers rather than focussing on the anti-farmer land legislation. He reminded the Prime Minister that his predecessor Dr Manmohan Singh had released Rs 72, 000 crore for the farmers and it was high time that the present government extended that policy of waiving debt.

He said the accumulated debt of the farmers was nothing as compared to the non-performing assets of the banks which was a nomenclature for bad debt extended to the corporate section.

He took Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to task for having failed the farming community. He also demanded from the chief minister that compensation of 10 lakhs should be given to the family of farmer.

On behalf of Pradesh congress Bajwa announced 2 lakhs for the family of deceased farmer. Fatehgarh Sahib MLA Kuljit Singh Nagra also attended the cremation.

Have something to say? Post your comment