CHANDIGARH: Punjab Congress has sought a high level probe by a Central agency into the purchase of Gunny Bags (Bardana) for paddy as the material supplied is alleged to be its well below the prescribed standards and of very poor quality.

In a meeting presided over by the Leader of Opposition, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, here Monday, in which MLAs  Lal Singh,   Brahm Mohindra,  Avtar Singh Brar and  Harminder Singh Jassi, former Minister  Surinder Singla and PCC General Secretary  Parminder Singh Pinky were present, deliberations were held about DAP shortage in the State, poor quality Jute Bags and other farmer related issues. Bhattal said that due to DAP shortage in Punjab, lot of resentment was reported amongst the farmers as wheat sowing season was on the anvil  for which DAP fertilizer was needed in bulk.

She said, earlier farmers were allowed to sow paddy late, now paddy/rice was not being lifted by procurement agencies on time, with the result farmers were left demoralized and high & dry in the mandis.  She urged the SAD-BJP Government to make provision for supply of adequate quantity of DAP and also expedite lifting of paddy from the mandis so that interests of the poor farmers were safeguarded.

 Bhattal said that to assess the damage by recent floods and hailstorms, especially in Fardikot district, special Girdawari should be carried out as previously it was held on considerations other than genuineness. Mrs. Bhattal said that UPA Government has always watched the interests of the farmers by providing them many incentives like agriculture debt waiver, unprecedented hike in MSP of wheat and paddy etc., now Punjab Government should also chip in to ameliorate the lot of farming community.