New Delhi, February 9: In his maiden speech in the Lok Sabha, Gurdaspur MP and PPCC chief Sunil Jakhar on Thursday accused the NDA government of presenting an “anti-farmer” Budget, even as he slammed Akali Dal MPs for applauding the same.
“I respect Parkash Singh Badal saheb because he is the only Punjab CM who has tilled farmland with his hands. But I’m surprised to see MPs of his party thumping desks when the government presents an ‘anti-farmer’ Budget. The Akalis must call a spade a spade,” Jakhar said.
In a 15-minute speech, he asked the Finance Minister (Arun Jaitley) to return to Punjab Rs 31,000 crore (foodgrain debt), which the “lame duck Akali government fraudulently transferred to the Centre on March 10, 2017”, a day before the declaration of the Assembly election results.
He said a farmer was committing suicide every 45 minutes, the time the PM took to conclude “Mann ki Baat”. “The FM says farmers’ income will double by 2022, but that will happen only if they survive till then,” he added.
News Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com
