Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi meets PM Modi, asks to withdraw three farm laws

Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi in his first meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday after becoming the CM asked the Central government to withdraw the three contentious farm laws, against which thousands of farmers, particularly from Punjab and Haryana have been protesting for almost a year now.

Channi, who replaced the former CM Captain Amarinder Singh, also requested PM Modi to withdraw the government’s decision to postpone paddy procurement in the largely agricultural state from the present day.

After his meeting the prime minister, Channi told reporters, “Agriculture is our main source of income. I have asked the Prime Minister to help find a solution to the deadlock with farmers, who are protesting against the three controversial farm laws.”

On Thursday, Mr Channi had asked the centre to withdraw its letter on changing the date to start paddy procurement from October 1 to 11.

The BJP government’s move to postpone procurement of kharif paddy in Haryana and Punjab till October 11 was made after crop maturity got delayed due to heavy rain, recently. The central government’s agency, Food Corporation of India, with state agencies undertakes the crop procurement.

Amid the ongoing Punjab Congress crisis that started with Capt Amarinder’s resignation, and Navjot Singh Sidhu quitting from his post, Channi is likely to meet senior Congress leaders during his visit to the national capital.

According to news agency PTI, a Congress coordination panel will be build-up for consultations before any major decision are taken by the Punjab government.

The decision to set up the panel was made on Thursday after more than two-hour meeting at the Punjab Congress Bhavan between Mr Charanjit Channi and Mr Navjot Singh Sidhu. The coordination panel will have these two Congress leaders and a representative from the All India Congress Committee.

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