Congress Leader Condemns Indo-US Trade Deal as Anti-Farmer
Senior Congress leader, Bholath MLA, and chairman of the All India Kisan Congress, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, has strongly criticized the proposed Indo-US trade deal, labeling it as "anti-farmer" and a "serious threat" to the agricultural economy of Punjab and the entire nation. In a statement issued on Thursday, Khaira expressed deep concerns over the potential impacts of the agreement on Indian farmers.
Unfair Competition and Economic Distress
Khaira argued that any trade deal allowing increased imports of subsidized agricultural products from the United States would expose Indian farmers to unfair competition. He highlighted that American farmers benefit from massive government subsidies, advanced infrastructure support, and assured market protection, advantages not available to their Indian counterparts.
"Our farmers, already burdened with rising input costs, stagnant Minimum Support Price (MSP) expansion, and mounting debt, cannot compete with heavily subsidized US agriculture," Khaira stated. "Such a treaty will devastate Punjab's agrarian economy and push farmers into deeper financial distress."
Threats to Domestic Prices and MSP System
The Congress leader warned that opening Indian markets to cheaper imports of crops such as maize, soybean, dairy products, and other farm commodities could lead to a collapse in domestic prices. This, he emphasized, would directly hurt the income and livelihood of millions of farmers across the country.
Khaira also raised alarms about the agreement potentially weakening India's MSP system and public procurement mechanisms, which are crucial to Punjab's rural economy. He stressed that these systems form the backbone of agricultural support in the region and must be protected from any trade-related erosion.
Demands for Transparency and Consultation
In response to these concerns, Khaira demanded that the Government of India make the full details of the proposed treaty public. He called for comprehensive consultations with farmer organizations and state governments before signing any agreement that affects the farming community's livelihood.
"The Akali Dal claims to be a party of farmers, yet it has not uttered a single word against a treaty that threatens the very survival of Punjab's farmers," Khaira said, taking a dig at the Shiromani Akali Dal and its president, Sukhbir Singh Badal. "Their silence exposes their political opportunism and lack of commitment to the farming community."
He urged the Akali leadership to clarify its stand and actively protect Punjab's farmers' interests instead of remaining silent spectators.
Commitment to Opposition and Farmer Welfare
Reiterating his stance, Khaira affirmed that the Congress party and the All India Kisan Congress would strongly oppose any trade agreement that compromises India's food security, weakens the MSP system, or harms the economic interests of farmers. He emphasized the need for policies that prioritize domestic agricultural sustainability and farmer welfare over international trade concessions.
This criticism comes amid ongoing debates about the implications of global trade deals on local economies, with Khaira positioning the Congress as a vocal advocate for farmer rights in the face of potential economic challenges.
