CM responsible for not securing relaxation in moisture norms of wheat due to which farmers are suffering - Sukhbir S Badal

Khanna, April 16, 2026: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal today said chief minister Bhagwant Mann was directly responsible for not securing relaxation in moisture content for farmers of Punjab due to which their wheat crop was not being procured.
The SAD president, who visited Asia’s largest grain market here, said “it is shocking that the chief minister only woke up from his slumber after both Haryana and Rajasthan secured relaxation in moisture content norms after applying for the same immediately”. He said the State government had only applied for relaxation in the norms recently due to which the farmers were suffering.
Sukhbir Badal also castigated Bhagwant Mann for leaving farmers to their fate and choosing to holiday at a five star resort in Jaisalmer. “Now he is going abroad at a time when he should be visiting Mandis and ensuring the wheat crop is procured timely”.
Stating that Punjab farmers had been dealt a double whammy, Badal said “first they suffered due to destruction of their crops due to rain and hailstorm. Now they are suffering because procurement agencies are not purchasing the wheat crop due to excess moisture”. He also talked to a farmer - Labh Singh in front of newsmen who said the government was doing a drama of procurement by purchasing two to three per cent of the total crop arriving at the Mandis.
Badal urged SAD halka incharge’s to visit all Mandis to put pressure on the government to start purchasing wheat crop which had accumulated in the Mandis. He also condemned the AAP government for not making arrangements to procure the required gunny bags for the current procurement season. “It is also shocking that sub standard gunny bags are arriving in Punjab indicating another scam in their purchase”.
Answering a question, the SAD president said delimitation could not take place on the basis of population. “It is absolutely necessary to increase Lok Sabha seats in all States on the same percentage basis instead of punishing States who have done a service to the country by following population norms laid down by the centre. This is also in the interest of federalism”. He reiterated that the SAD was in favour of women reservation but it should not be used as an excuse to increase or decrease Lok Sabha seats arbitrarily.