AAP’s farmer manifesto: Loan waivers, loss relief, more free power

Moga, September 11 : The Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday promised to implement the Swaminathan panel report and make farmers in the state debt-free by 2018, as it released its farmers’ manifesto at a mega rally in Baghapurana on Sunday.
At a rally that saw thousands attend it, Aam Aadmi Party promised to implement the Sir Chotu Ram Act in the state and put an end to farmer suicides by December 2018. It also promised to waive loans beyond a threshold.
AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, MPs Bhagwant Mann and Sadhu Singh, state convener Gurpreet Ghuggi and AAP leader Sanjay Singh, among senior leaders, were present at the event.
— AAP promises to pay Rs 10,000 a month to farm labourers as compensation for loss of income during natural calamities.
— Former Congress leader Jagmeet Brar felicitates Arvind Kejriwal.
— AAP leader Kanwar Sandhu reads out manifesto.
— No property will be confiscated or attached in default of payment of loans.
— Will implement the Swaminathan panel report.
— On SYL: Against sharing river waters with other states; promises to return land acquired for the project.
— Promises 12-hour uninterrupted power supply free of cost to farmers. No meters for tubewell connections.
— Shagun scheme amount will be raised to Rs 51,000.
— Promises Rs 21,000 on birth of child, to raise old-age pension to Rs 2,000 per month.
— Promises continue Atta-Dal scheme, to bring in 10 lakh new consumers; also to increase ration items.
— Rs 5-lakh health cover in all government and private hospitals for farmers and farm labourers.
— “We will not compromise on corruption. We will order investigation into Agriculture Minister Tota Singh’s role in pesticide scam. Adesh Partap Kairon, Bikram Majithia and Sikandar Singh Maluka will also come under scanner. If found guilty their properties will be confiscated and sent behind bars.”
— Life term for fake pesticides and sale of adulterated milk. Law will be amended accordingly
— Will promote dairy farming, fisheries and other alternative practices of agriculture.
— Promises Rs 10,000 per acre compensation for farmers having land beyond the fence along Indo-Pak border.
— Will be take steps to tackle cattle menace.
— Promises village committees for land disputes.
— Gurpreet Ghuggi appeals for vote, says will restore ‘mela’ culture in Punjab that was a tradition of the state.
— Zero tolerance to illegal trade of drugs, corruption, says Ghuggi
— Will create job avenues for 25 lakh youngsters: Ghuggi
— Crowd cheers Bhagwant Mann as he takes the mike.
— We will drive farmers to prosperity and regain lost glory, says Mann; calls Punjab the food basket of the country.
— Kejriwal begins his speech, accuses Badals of being responsible for the woes of farmers and driving them to commit suicide.
— We will put Agriculture Minister Tota Singh, Adesh Partap Singh, Bikram Majithia and Sukhbir Badal behind the bars and confiscate their properties, says Kejriwal; calls Majithia a drug lord, takes a jibe at Captain Amarinder for “supporting him”.