Chandigarh, 14 October(Wishav Warta): A party meeting of AAP MLAs and office bearers was held in the presence of AAP state president Bhagwant Mann and co-president Aman Arora yesterday in Chandigarh. The issue of harassment of farmers by the state government in the name of National Green Tribunal orders on stubble burning was discussed thoroughly.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Aman Arora said that it was decided that AAP MLAs and other office bearers will submit memorandum representations to the concerned deputy commissioners throughout Punjab on Monday for stopping the undue harassment of farmers by the state government in the name of stubble burning. He said that the government itself has failed to perform its duty and now forcing farmers to save it own skin.
“As per the orders of NGT, the para 14 clause ‘C’ clearly states that harvesting, transportation and proper utilization of the crop residue is the primary responsibility of state government. In case, the Govt. is not able to do so then it has to pay the compensation to the farmers as per the land holding. The clause ‘H’ of the same order says that the state will provide Machines, Mechanism and equipments to the farmers for the purpose of destroying agricultural residue.” Arora said.
Arora said that AAP is concerned about the depleting environment condition due to toxics caused by smoke but it should not be an excuse to harass the already indebted farmers of the state. He said that the farmers are already committing suicides in state and the number of suicides is increasing day by day. So the Govt. must focus on providing relief to the farmers rather than accusing them for its own failure.
Arora also demanded that keeping in view the pitiable condition of the farmers and common people of the state, Vat on diesel and petrol must be reduced on the terms of Himachal Pradesh, Maharastra and Gujrat states.
