DW BUREAU / PATIALA Internal quality assurance cell of GSSDGS Khalsa College organised an international seminar on "Agrarian Crisis, Agricultural Laws and Alternatives" wherein world renowned agricultural experts, economists and intellectuals discussed the prevailing scenario. The seminar was organised in a blended mode with offline and online presence of about 1000 participants from 12 different countries. The inaugural session was presided over by former Cabinet Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra, Honorary Secretary, College Governing Body. The welcome address was presented by Principal of the college, Dr. Dharminder Singh Ubha. He welcomed the dignitaries, guests and delegates. Dr. Lakhwinder Singh Gill, Professor Emeritus, Khalsa College, Patiala and the convener of the seminar shared the objective of the seminar. He highlighted the societal and political apathy which has led to the agrarian crisis in the country. The new agricultural laws will further worsen the situation. The economic transformation of the society too is escalating the agricultural crisis. The need is to look for alternatives which can solve the agrarian crisis in the society. He also said that out of the three laws passed by the government, the state governments have been completely ignored under the Essential Commodities Act. He also said that under the new laws, corporates have been allowed to withdraw their agricultural produce from the government in case of any emergency The keynote speaker at the seminar was Prof. Jagrup Singh Sekhon, former Head, Dept. of Political Science, Guru Nanak Dev University. He highlighted that the agrarian crisis in the society is increasing due to the marginalisation of the agricultural sector in the country. He said that most of the loans taken by the farmers were from private institutions and they did not get the benefit of the loan schemes of the government. (editor@dailyworld.in)