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Punjab Government Assurances End SKM Farmers’ Border Protest
Farmers in Punjab held a protest at the Chandigarh-Mohali border.
They started the protest on September 1.
The farmers wanted action on water, farm loans, crop prices and other issues.
Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian gave them written assurances.
He said the state Assembly would meet within a month.
The Assembly may pass resolutions about water agreements and several laws.
The government also promised to examine farm-loan settlements and unpaid sugarcane dues.
After receiving these assurances, the farmers ended their protest.
The assurances describe planned action, not completed changes.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha ended its dharna at the Chandigarh-Mohali border on September 7.
Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian assured farmers that the Assembly would meet within a month.
The proposed session will consider resolutions on river-water agreements, the Punjab Reorganisation Act and the Seed Bill, 2025.
The government also promised a loan One-Time Settlement policy and action on sugarcane mill dues.
Farmers continue to seek higher support prices, debt relief and withdrawal of proposed agriculture and electricity measures.
- Who
- The Samyukta Kisan Morcha and farmers from across Punjab; Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian represented the state government.
- What
- The SKM ended its dharna after receiving written assurances on an Assembly session and several farm-related demands.
- Where
- At the Chandigarh-Mohali border point.
- When
- The protest began on September 1 and ended on Monday, September 7.
- Why
- Farmers ended the protest following the Punjab government’s assurances to consider their demands, including issues involving river waters, agriculture, loans and sugarcane payments.
Farmers’ Demands
Punjab Government’s Assurances
River waters and legislation
Farmers’ Demands
Farmers sought action on water agreements and opposed provisions they said affected Punjab’s interests.
Punjab Government’s Assurances
The government promised Assembly resolutions seeking reconsideration of old water agreements, repeal of certain Punjab Reorganisation Act provisions and repeal of the Dam Safety Act.
Seed Bill, 2025
Farmers’ Demands
Farmers demanded withdrawal of the bill, arguing that it would weaken states’ rights and increase centralisation.
Punjab Government’s Assurances
The government assured farmers that the Assembly would pass a resolution seeking withdrawal of the bill and forward it to the central government.
Loans and farm payments
Farmers’ Demands
Farmers demanded debt relief and also sought implementation of a minimum support price based on the C2-plus-50-per-cent formula.
Punjab Government’s Assurances
The government promised to develop a One-Time Settlement policy after consultations and to clear private sugar-mill dues in a time-bound manner.
Key facts
- Protest organiser
- Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM)
- Protest start
- September 1
- Protest end
- September 7
- Government assurance
- Punjab will convene a state Assembly session within a month
- Water-related action
- The Assembly will consider resolutions seeking reconsideration of old water agreements
- Loan measure
- A One-Time Settlement policy will be formulated for loans involving cooperative banks and credit societies
- Sugarcane payments
- Outstanding private sugar-mill dues will be cleared in a time-bound manner
Sources
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