Mohali Congress submits memorandum to DC opposing Indo-US trade deal
Warns of impact on Punjab farmers
Babushahi Bureau
SAS Nagar (Mohali), February 20, 2026: The Mohali unit of the Congress on Thursday submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, raising strong objections to the proposed Indo-US Trade Deal and warning that it could severely impact Punjab’s agrarian economy.
The memorandum was handed over by District Congress President Kamal Kishore Sharma, former Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu, and other party workers.
Balbir Singh Sidhu stated that Punjab, being a border state with a predominantly agriculture-based economy, would be among the worst affected if cheaper foreign agricultural produce is allowed to enter Indian markets.
He said small and marginal farmers in Punjab, who depend on limited landholdings, cannot compete with large, highly mechanised American farms that receive substantial government subsidies. Such unequal competition, he warned, would push farmers into serious economic distress.
Sidhu further cautioned that weakening the rural economy would directly affect employment opportunities for youth, who are already facing limited prospects in agriculture. Rising unemployment, he said, could aggravate the drug menace and lead to broader social challenges in the state.
Highlighting strategic concerns, the former minister said economic instability and joblessness in a sensitive border state like Punjab could be exploited by anti-national forces. He stressed that a strong agrarian base and empowered youth are essential for maintaining social and economic stability.
Referring to past leadership, Sidhu said former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Manmohan Singh had safeguarded Indian farmers by not opening agricultural markets to foreign produce, even during periods of food shortages. He urged the Centre to draw lessons from history.
Appealing to the Governor of Punjab to raise the matter with the Government of India, Sidhu asserted that Punjab’s farmers and the country’s food security must not be compromised and called for a review and reconsideration of the proposed trade agreement.