Dera Baba Nanak/Chandigarh, November 9, 2019 (Yes Punjab News)
PPCC President Sunil Jakhar on Saturday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s help in compensating farmers for non-Basmati variety of paddy by paying Rs 100 each quintal as bonus for not burning stubble.
Interacting with Modi at langar on the occasion of inauguration of the immigration center and flagging of first jatha of Indians through Kartarpur corridor near Dera Baba Nanak today, Jakhar said Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur was built to commemorate the site where Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, settled after his missionary work.
He assembled a Sikh commune there, and lived for 18 years until his death on 22 September 1539. By devoting last years of life to cultivation, the great Guru had highlighted the significance of farming, Jakhar said.
“We all are lucky to have worked together in a positive way to facilitate opening of the long awaited corridor to Kartarpur and are also witness to the historic occasion. It was almighty’s charisma, his blessings did work. Punjab was not in a comfortable financial position to pay Rs 100 bonus/compensation for each quintal to paddy growers.
The state contributes heavily as food bowl of the country. Punjab has to spare enough water and other resources for irrigation also. It will be befitting for the Central govt to help the farmers by paying Rs 100 as bonus, Jakhar told Modi in the presence of Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.
Taking up the issue related to US 20 dollar fee imposed by Pakistan govt for each pilgrim to use the corridor to pay obeisance at the historic gurdwara, Jakhar said it should be borne by the Central government under special Tirath Yatra package that was offered for senior citizens only in some segments. “You can expect each pilgrim will pray for peace and prosperity while performing Ardas at the holy shrine, he added.
