All demands of farmers relating to Centre, nothing to do with state, says Punjab CM

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday emphasized that all demands of farmers are related to the Union government and the state will oppose any attempt to reintroduce "draconian anti-farmer laws" through indirect means. In his first media interaction after almost two weeks Mann said that for several months farmers have been protesting at the Shambhu and Khanori borders and last January and February farmer groups held detailed discussions with the Centre with the state acting as a mediator. Mann clarified that the issues raised by farmers are solely concerns for the Union government and Punjab has no role in addressing them. He criticized the Modi-led government at the Centre for failing to show concern for the farmers after assuming power adding that it was attempting to bring back the controversial laws through the back door.

Commenting on the ongoing fast of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, Mann stated that while the state has deployed over 50 doctors to ensure his health and he himself had personally urged Dallewal to end his fast the Union government has shown no effort to address the farmers' concerns. He accused the Centre of attempting to remove the farmers from the protest site despite their peaceful demonstration and shifting responsibility onto the state government. Mann expressed his disbelief that the Union government was avoiding dialogue with the farmers instead of resolving their issues and was ready to re-implement the controversial laws. He reiterated that the Punjab government will not support such a move which he said would harm the interests of the state and its farmers. The Chief Minister assured that Punjab is already taking steps in line with the Supreme Court's orders to protect the lives of farmers. In a broader context the Punjab government remains committed to standing against any actions by the Union that would undermine the welfare of its farming community.