1 day ago
Punjab Farmers Begin Week-Long Protest Over Trade Deal, Reforms
Farmers from across Punjab gathered at the Chandigarh-Mohali border to protest.
They are part of a group called the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, or SKM.
The protest began on September 1 and is planned to continue until September 7.
The farmers want crop prices to be calculated using a specific formula.
They also want debts owed by farmers and farm workers to be completely waived.
They oppose a proposed trade deal with the United States and several proposed laws.
They say these measures could hurt agriculture, increase central control or reduce states’ rights.
They are also worried about Punjab’s falling groundwater levels.
Police changed traffic routes because of the large gathering.
Farmers under the Samyukta Kisan Morcha began a week-long protest at the Chandigarh-Mohali border on September 1.
The protesters are demanding MSP based on the C2-plus-50-percent formula and complete debt waivers for farmers and farm labourers.
Farmers oppose the proposed India-US trade deal and seek withdrawal of the Electricity Amendment Bill, Seed Bill and Dam Safety Act.
Their demands also include action on Punjab’s groundwater crisis, water-sharing agreements, crop procurement and sugarcane pricing.
Authorities diverted or closed several roads near the border and advised commuters to use alternate routes.
- Who
- Farmers from across Punjab under the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, including members of several farmer bodies such as Bharti Kisan Union (Lakhowal), Bharti Kisan Union (Rajewal), Bharti Kisan Union (Dakaunda) and Kirti Kisan Union.
- What
- A week-long protest seeking agricultural reforms, debt relief, crop procurement measures and the withdrawal of proposed legislation and the India-US trade deal.
- Where
- At the Chandigarh-Mohali border, with traffic restrictions in nearby parts of Chandigarh and Mohali.
- When
- The protest began on September 1, a Tuesday, and is scheduled to continue through September 7; some farmers arrived on September 1.
- Why
- Farmers want the Centre and Punjab government to address MSP, debt, water, procurement and pricing concerns, and to withdraw measures they say threaten agriculture or state rights.
Key facts
- Protest period
- September 1 through September 7
- Organiser
- Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM)
- Expected participation
- Around 2,000 tractor-trolleys, according to SKM leader Harinder Singh Lakhowal
- MSP demand
- A minimum support price based on the C2-plus-50-percent formula
- Debt relief
- Complete write-off of government, cooperative and private loans for farmers and farm labourers
- Additional demands
- A sugarcane price of Rs 500 per quintal, guaranteed procurement of several crops, and action on Punjab’s water crisis
- Traffic impact
- Roads near the Chandigarh-Mohali border were diverted, restricted or closed, including routes near IISER Chowk and Jagatpura
Quotes
Harinder Singh Lakhowal
Leader of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and representative of the participating farmer organisations
“We have come here to press the Centre and the Punjab government to accept our demands.”
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thehansindia.com
rediff.com
Sources
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