J A L A N D H A R    E D I T I O N

Farmers desire paddy that consume less water
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, May 23
The farmers of Jalandhar have submitted a letter to Deputy Commissioner Priyank Bharti demanding the permission to sow various varieties of paddy seeds that consume less water.

This was done as a part of a drive conducted by farmers of the state. They are sending demand letters to their respective Deputy Commissioner so that they (DCs) could pass it on to the Chief Minister.

These varieties are recognised by Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, and Indian Council, New Delhi. The farmer unions demanded that Basamati 1121 and Sela Basmati be brought within the ambit of government purchase and their prices be set at Rs 3,500 and Rs 4,500 per quintal, respectively. They also demanded that on a daily basis, 16 hours electricity for agricultural usage and 24 hours for domestic use to be given to the farmers.

Talking about other demands, District President of the Pendu Mazdoor Union, Punjab, said the SAD-BJP government has also agreed to other demands like motor connections up to five acres of land, restoring the electricity connections of farmers which had been cut due to non-payment of bills, cancellation of pending dues, allotment of residential plots to labourers, among others. However, the government officials have been displaying a lackadaisical approach in agreeing to these demands.