JALANDHAR, DECEMBER 15: Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, President Shiromani Akali Dal and Deputy Chief Minister Punjab today charged congress led UPA government for deliberately scuttling the export of potatoes and basmati to other countries to punish Punjabi farmers for supporting SAD-BJP government in Punjab.
Talking to the media persons, Mr. Badal said that Punjab government had already sent repeated SOS messages to Union Food and Commerce Ministries apprising them of problems being faced by potato and basmati farmers in Punjab and seeking early permission for the export through land route but deep slumber of Union Government has ruined the economy of Punjabi farmers. Mr. Badal said that there was no government worth name in the center and policy paralysis afflicting the UPA government has brought the economy of whole country to a stand-still. He said that prices of essential commodities were hitting the roof and a trimonthly promise of Prime Minister of prices coming down has further worsened the situation. He said that economist run government has ruined the economy of the country and western formula of raising interest rates to curb inflation has put the whole economy into a debt spiral. He questioned that why the union government failed to curb the inflation by raising interest rates 22 times during last 24 months. Mr. Badal said that repeated interest rate hike has made the industrial sector sick and no industry was willing to invest in capital with double digit interest rate. He also questioned the silence of Union Finance Minister with Rupee tumbling to record low and dollar touching Rs 55.
Questioning the sincerity of Captain Amarinder Singh, Mr. Badal said that why can not he pressurize the Union Government to allow export of Potatoes and Basmati, if he was so called votary of farmers? Mr. Badal said that Captain Amarinder Singh has a negative mindset and he was camping in Delhi to stop sanction of Roads and Infrastructure Projects for Punjab besides grants for various centrally sponsored schemes.
When asked to comment about the verdict of Punjab and Haryana High Court on dismissing the PIL on Transport Policy of Punjab, Mr. Badal said that Hon’ble court has exposed the hollowness of total propaganda of Congress Party and Captain Amarinder Singh should apologies Publicly for defaming the SAD-BJP government with malicious and baseless allegations.