Punjab CM seeks continuance of system of payment to farmers

Amarinder seeks meeting with PM to brief concerns of stakeholders

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Saturday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking continuance of the system of payment to farmers till a consensus can be evolved on the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The commission agents (arhtiyas) are not middlemen between the farmers and the procurement agencies but are service providers, he said and urged the Prime Minister to ensure that the livelihood of the farmers and all others involved in the smooth procurement of foodgrains is not jeopardised. Captain Singh also sought a meeting to apprise Mr. Modi of the concerns of various stakeholders about changing the payment system “before the situation gets out of hand”. On behalf of the government of Punjab, he assured Mr. Modi of his complete support towards evolving a consensus among the stakeholders for the long-term durable reforms.