Faridkot
Allegedly,by going out of the way AAP has tried to restart the operations of the Raja Harinder Singh seed farm, shut for about two years, likely to make it operational from this season of Kharif if everything goes as planned.
The farm, running on the leased land of about 1200 acres, for about 30 years, had to shut its operation in 2021 after it expired its lease.
"We have tried to continue the old contract as the then stakeholder, Maharwal Kheva Ji Trust, which was a caretaker of the land, had not dispossessed the PAU owned farm. But due to some technical issues, the farm had to shut its operation, which is now going to be resumed. I have tried my best to revive this farm along with Kultar Singh sandhwan because the farm used to cater to the 70 per cent seed needs of the farmers," said Gurdit Singh Sekhon, MLA Faridkot.
"This is the only one of the largest farms producing the seeds owned by the PAU. So its closure led to an acute shortage of the seeds last year. The seed was sold at very high prices. Besides the contribution to the seed production, it also employed over 400 locals to complete its daily operations. who had been rendered unemployed. Even during the season, more locals get employment," said Sekhon speaking to the PunjabTribune.com.
After the apex court upheld the decision of the high court, the royal property is going to be divided between two daughters of the erstwhile ruler of Faridkot estate, Sir Harinder Singh Brar, beside some other legal heirs of the estate and MKJ trust was annulled by the court.
The change of the title of the land, about 1200 acres, located in village Bir Sikhan Wala, may be a technical problem for the operationalizing of the farm, but new heirs are yet to get the transfer of titles of the land in revenue record, it has been learnt.
About being asked about it, Gurdit Singhn Sekhon said that the Punjab Government may also mull over the overtaking land as surplus.
AAP leaders claim that they are making all out efforts to benefit the farmers.
Surplus land may be acquired by the state government
"According to the law, one farmer can not possess over 17.5 acres of land as per the provisions of the law. so the royal property is subject to it.Then all the powers rest with the deputy commission about it and he/she can pass an order about it. Then the affected parties can file writ in the high court. This issue had also come up with the DC Faridkot Ruhee Dugg, who had allegedly disposed off the move. But we have yet to see what orders were there. It is a technical issue. Even many farmers in the state own more than the fixed limit of having the land. They try some escape routes and land is divided among the family members," said a senior advocate from the district courts of Faridkot.
DC Faridkot, Ruhee Dugg could not be contacted despite a call on her mobile phone.