Punjab News: Agriculture Minister Urges Central Minister to Address Farmers' Issues

Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, during a video conference with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, brought attention to pressing farmers' issues. Referring to the ongoing protest and hunger strike by prominent farmers' leader S. Jagjit Singh Dallewal, Khuddian appealed to the Union Minister to prioritize discussions on farmers' grievances.

ਵੀਡੀਓ ਕਾਨਫ਼ਰੰਸ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਕੇਂਦਰੀ ਖੇਤੀਬਾੜੀ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਸ਼ਿਵਰਾਜ ਸਿੰਘ ਚੌਹਾਨ ਨਾਲ਼ ਗੱਲਬਾਤ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਖੇਤੀਬਾੜੀ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਪੰਜਾਬ @gurmeetkhuddian ਨੇ ਕਿਸਾਨ ਆਗੂ ਸ. ਜਗਜੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਡੱਲੇਵਾਲ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਮਰਨ ਵਰਤ ਦਾ ਹਵਾਲਾ ਦਿੰਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕਿਸਾਨੀ ਮਸਲਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਪਹਿਲ 'ਤੇ ਵਿਚਾਰਨ ਦੀ ਅਪੀਲ ਕੀਤੀ। ਸੂਬਿਆਂ ਪ੍ਰਤੀ ਕੇਂਦਰ ਦੀ ਬਣਦੀ… pic.twitter.com/ry9GKZoSgS

— AAP Punjab (@AAPPunjab) January 4, 2025

Emphasis on Central Government’s Role

Highlighting the responsibilities of the Central Government towards the states, Khuddian emphasized the need for immediate dialogue to resolve longstanding issues faced by the farming community. He warned that delays in addressing these concerns could escalate unrest and worsen the already difficult conditions for farmers, who are struggling with low crop prices, rising input costs, and climate challenges.

Call for Collaborative Solutions

Khuddian urged a cooperative approach, advocating for close collaboration between the Centre and the states to develop sustainable solutions for the agricultural sector. He stressed that resolving farmers' issues is not merely a state-specific concern but a national duty requiring swift and decisive action.

Platform to Highlight Farmers’ Plight

The video conference provided a crucial platform to spotlight the struggles of the farming community. Khuddian urged policymakers to acknowledge farmers’ vital role in ensuring national food security and take immediate steps to address their concerns comprehensively. 

Khuddian also expressed concern about the mental health of farmers, who face mounting stress due to debt and unpredictable weather conditions. He urged the Centre to introduce programs aimed at providing psychological support and financial aid to the most vulnerable members of the farming community.

Strengthening Farmer Welfare Schemes

The Minister called for strengthening existing welfare schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) to ensure that farmers receive timely and adequate compensation for crop losses. He stressed that simplifying the process for availing these benefits would significantly enhance the effectiveness of such schemes.

Urgent Appeal for Dialogue and Resolution

Concluding his address, Khuddian reiterated the importance of immediate dialogue between the Centre and farmers’ representatives. He urged Union Minister Chouhan to visit Punjab and hold face-to-face discussions with farmers to build trust and work towards resolving their issues comprehensively.