National/ Punjab Desk
15 October
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
The Indian Farmers’ Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) has declared a protest to make all toll plazas in Punjab ticket-free starting October 17. This decision comes in response to the state’s failure to purchase paddy at the minimum support price (MSP) and delays in crop disbursement.
Leadership Statement
BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) President Joginder Singh Ugrahan and General Secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokri Kalan stated that protests would escalate from October 18. Permanent fronts will be set up outside the homes of senior BJP leaders, continuing until their demands are met.
Farmers’ Demands
The farmers are calling for immediate MSP procurement of paddy and addressing the losses incurred from selling paddy below MSP. They argue that the PR-126 variety, which is cultivated for water conservation, yields less than the Pusa 44 variety and that the government should compensate for the difference.
Additionally, the farmers demand that the MSP for Basmati rice be honored and that losses from last year’s prices be addressed. They also request the relaxation of procurement conditions, such as allowing a maximum moisture content of 22 percent and easing restrictions on tainted grains.
Broader Concerns
Farmer leaders have urged the Indian government to withdraw from the World Trade Organization’s open market policy. They seek better storage facilities for rice, a bonus of Rs 200 per quintal for stubble management, and the cancellation of penalties against farmers, claiming ongoing neglect from both the Central and Punjab governments.