CHANDIGARH — Addressing the historic Rakhar Punia gathering at Baba Bakala Sahib, Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan mounted a strong defense of the Union Government’s agricultural policies, assuring farmers that India would not sign any international trade agreement, including with the United States, that undermines domestic agricultural interests.
Chouhan emphasized that no final trade pact exists with the United States at present, reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s explicit commitment that safeguard clauses for Indian farmers will remain non-negotiable in all international economic talks.
Rebuttal to State Agricultural and Governance Policies
Positioning the Bharatiya Janata Party as a primary contender for the upcoming 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, Chouhan criticized the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government on several governance metrics:
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Crop Insurance and Subsidies: The Union Minister questioned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s delayed implementation of national crop insurance schemes, contrasting it with central fertilizer subsidies maintained for small and marginal farmers.
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Fiscal Accountability under MGNREGA: Alleging administrative discrepancies and corruption in state welfare execution, Chouhan accused the state administration of mismanaging funds allocated under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
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Law, Order, and Women’s Safety: Highlighting growing concerns regarding organized crime, illicit drug networks, and women’s security across Punjab, Chouhan called for structural governance overhauls to restore public safety.
Rural Development and Diversification Strategy
Outlining the Union Government’s rural empowerment roadmap, Chouhan detailed targeted developmental objectives:
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Expansion of ‘Lakhpati Didi’ Scheme: The Centre aims to scale the Lakhpati Didi initiative from three crore to six crore rural women beneficiaries, promising expanded coverage across Punjab alongside rural housing allocations for families in temporary structures (kutcha houses).
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Agricultural Reforms: To secure long-term agricultural sustainability in the state, Chouhan advocated for accelerated crop diversification, enhanced food-processing infrastructure, and expanded agricultural export pathways.
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Political Positioning: Responding to queries regarding potential political realignments with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Chouhan noted that organizational leadership will evaluate alliances at the appropriate time, urging voters to give the BJP an independent mandate in 2027.
