Demanding ‘special bonus’ for the farmers from the BJP-JJP led coalition government in Haryana, Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Wednesday said that the government should work out ways to procure wheat crop yields from April 15 instead of April 20. Crops are standing in the fields whereas the weather is changing.
As Punjab government has announced wheat procurement from April 15 so Haryana government should work out ways to procure wheat crop yields from April 15 instead of April 20, he added. Expressing concerns over rising number of corona virus positive cases, he appealed the government to ensure availability of medical equipments like PPE kits, masks, and hand sanitizers among other necessary items in hospitals. He said the government needs to ensure that people especially poor and farmers are benefited from schemes announced by the State government after enforcement of lockdown.
In a telephonic interview with ‘The Pioneer’, Hooda raises the concerns of farmers and the people especially poor being faced after the enforcement of lockdown. Excerpts from the interview:
Why do you want State government to reconsider date for procurement of wheat crop?
We do not want farmers to suffer more. The rains and hailstorms in March have already caused major losses to the farmers. Now crops are standing in the fields whereas the weather is changing again and again. In Haryana, wheat crop yields get ready for harvest before Punjab. The government should rethink and announce procurement of wheat crop yields from April 15 instead of April 20.
State Government claims of having taken several measures for the welfare of farmers. Why are you demanding ‘special bonus’ for farmers?
Farmers have suffered a lot due to unseasonal rains and hailstorms and later lockdown. Labour cost has increased due to shortage of labourers. Prices of every farm related equipments and other necessary items have increased many fold. Delay in procurement of crop yields will result into delay in its payment to the farmers. Following this, farmers who have borrowed or have taken loans would face difficulty to survive. Currently, farmers will first have to spend money to take their crop for storage and then they will have to spend extra to sell it. This will cost farmers double both in terms of the hard work and money. During such a challenging time, government should announce ‘special bonus’ for farmers.
Shortage of combine machines and labourers has added to the woes of framers during lockdown. Do you think government should come out with a plan to address these problems?
I would appeal to the farmers to do whatever they can under the limitations. At the same time, I would also appeal to the State government that there should be uniformity in procurement and they should work out a plan to address the concerns of the farmers immediately.
Government says the procurement of rabi crops will be done first by issuing coupons after collecting the data registered on "Meri Fasal Mera Byora” portal by the farmers. What would you say?
At this time, I would like to say that State Government should ensure that each and every crop yields of farmers is procured.
How do you assess the situation of Covid-19 outbreak in the State after enforcement of lockdown?
In this critical time, government should take all the possible steps to fend off the Covid-19 spread. Government has its own machinery to review and assess the situation correctly. We will support the Government in whatever steps they take to save human lives.
What are the concerns of the people you are hearing at this juncture?
This is not a time to do politics. I would only say that all safety measures should be taken for the doctors and other medical practitioners working in hospitals.
Also, government must ensure that no family sleeps without food.
There are concerns of alleged victimisation of people of a particular community after Covid positive cases increased in the aftermath of Tablighi Jamaat’s Delhi event. Being a leader of opposition in the Assembly, what is your view on this issue?
No one should be victimized. But at the same time, it is the responsibility of the government to identify those people who are corona virus positive. All should work unitedly to save human lives.
Amid lockdown, what will be your appeal to the people of the State? what do you do when there is lockdown?
I would appeal to the people to follow the government guidelines strictly. I spend maximum time while talking with the farmers and representatives of various panchayats, party leaders and supporters of the State through mobile phone. I hear and try to address their concerns. If time permits then I watch Ramayana and Mahabharata on Television and also read historical and religious books.
