Speaker Kultar Sandhwan urges Centre to reconsider US trade deal, says it will harm Indian farmers
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, February 18, 2026:Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan on Thursday urged the Central Government to heed the advice of medical experts and remain sensitive to the concerns of Indian farmers, stating that the proposed trade deal with the United States would result in significant losses for the farming community.
Addressing the media, Sandhwan said the Centre was acting indifferently toward key agricultural issues, which he termed “unfortunate and condemnable.” He asserted that any trade pact adversely affecting farmers’ livelihoods would be strongly opposed.
“Our government stands shoulder to shoulder with the farmers of India. We will raise our voice against this trade pact and protest against anti-farmer policies of the Central Government,” he said.
Referring to observations shared by doctors from Apollo Hospital, Sandhwan claimed that imported apples lose a substantial percentage of nutrients—particularly Vitamin C—during prolonged storage and transportation. He stated that while imported apples may appear shiny and attractive, they are nutritionally inferior compared to domestically grown varieties.
He highlighted that apples from Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh offer better health benefits at comparatively lower prices. “Imported apples are less nutritious than domestic harvests. Consumers end up paying a premium price for inferior quality produce,” he added.
Sandhwan expressed hope that the Central Government would take these concerns seriously and reconsider policies that could adversely impact Indian farmers, while safeguarding both agricultural interests and public health.