Mohali (Punjab) [India]: Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, along with MLA Kulwant Singh, laid the foundation stone for a new grain market in Saneta, Mohali, on Friday.
Highlighting the importance of the facility, Minister Khuddian said, “The grain market in Mohali’s Saneta has been inaugurated today. It’s essential to ensure that farmers’ crops are stored properly after harvest to prevent spoilage.”
The minister also addressed ongoing farmer protests, noting their struggle to have their demands heard by the central government. “Farmers have been attempting to go to Delhi to voice their concerns, but the central government has been blocking their efforts. Their demands have been pending for a long time, and the Centre should address them,” he said.
Supreme Court Intervention on Farmer Protest Leader
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court reviewed the health status of Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a prominent farmer leader who has been on an indefinite fast since November 26. Dallewal, the convener of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), is protesting at the Khanouri border, seeking a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.
The court sought comparative medical reports from the Punjab government and asked for an opinion from the AIIMS medical board. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the Punjab government, informed the bench that Dallewal’s condition was improving and that a medical facility is available just 10 meters from the protest site.
The hearing is part of a contempt petition against the Punjab Chief Secretary and Director General of Police for not complying with the court’s December 20 order to provide medical aid and hospitalization to Dallewal.
Pending Farmer Demands
A fresh petition, filed by advocate Guninder Kaur Gill, highlighted that farmers had suspended their year-long agitation on December 9, 2021, following assurances from the central government to address their demands. The petition urged the Centre to fulfill its commitments.
The Supreme Court bench, led by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta representing the Union government, has sought instructions from the Centre and scheduled the matter for a hearing on January 29.