Reacting strongly to Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Radha Mohan Singh’s  response that protests by farmers in various parts of the country were attempts to get media attention, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Sunday demanded minister’s immediate dismissal.

The CM said it showed the complete lack of concern on the part of the central government to the problems of farming community.

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Amarinder Singh said it was not the protest which was ‘bizarre’ but the minister’s statement. Amarinder added that a minister who did not connect with the woes of the farmers had no business holding the portfolio.

Demanding Union minister’s immediate dismissal, the CM said when a minister entrusted with the welfare of the farmers cannot relate to their problems, one could well imagine which way the country was headed.

The CM lashed out at the central government, led by Prime Minister NarendraModi, accusing it for apathy to the problems of the distressed farmers. He said, many of whom were committing suicide, around the country.

“When the farmers, who feed the nation, are forced to resort to such extreme steps, including taking to the streets to draw attention to their pitiable condition, then it does not augur well for the country”, said Amarinder Singh.

The CM said farmers were suffering as a result of the central government’s failure to waive off their debts, which many state governments, including Punjab, had been repeatedly seeking, and also to give them the due price for their produce.

The CM reiterated his demand for in toto implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report to ensure fair and remunerative crop prices for the farmers, to enable them to meet both ends.

On the issue of farm debt waiver, Amarinder Singh questioned if a bankrupt state like Punjab could do its bit for loan waiver, why could the central government not come up with a waiver scheme?

The CM alleged that central government seemed to be only interested in appeasing and helping the rich industrialists who were fleecing the country of its resources and finances. The poor were nowhere on their priority agenda, said Amarinder Singh.