Kisan Sabha condemns FIRs against farmers, demands stubble management support
Members of the Haryana state committee of the All-India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) gathered at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Rohtak and submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister. The protest was against FIRs filed against farmers for stubble burning and highlighted other challenges facing the farming community.
Key demands:
1. Withdraw FIRs against farmers for stubble burning
2. Ensure adequate stubble management support or compensation
3. Address pollution holistically rather than solely blaming farmers
4. Increase DAP supply as per farmers’ needs
5. Display stock boards at all sale centres and prevent forced sales of nano DAP, seeds, medicines
6. Ban fake fertilisers, seeds, and medicines effectively
7. Ensure timely procurement and transportation of crops
Kisan Sabha district secretary Balwan Singh condemned the FIRs, stating, “Soon after coming to power, the BJP government launched a direct attack on the farmers by registering police cases against them on charges of spreading pollution.”
Singh added that farmers are further penalised with crop purchase bans, calling it an “anti-farmer attitude” by the state. “Instead of implementing effective crop residue management, the government is projecting farmers as criminals in the name of pollution,” he said.
The AIKS argued that criminal charges contradict a Central Government agreement, which exempts farmers from criminal liability under Sections 14 and 15 of the Pollution Act.
Among AIKS demands is compensation of Rs 200 per quintal to farmers for managing stubble. They also highlighted a shortage of DAP fertiliser, attributing it to subsidy cuts by the Central Government in recent years. “The government, which promotes an online system and transparency, seems unaware of the amount of fertiliser needed for the season,” the AIKS maintained.
In their memorandum, the Kisan Sabha emphasised that farmers are unfairly blamed for pollution during paddy season. “The Agriculture Department, local administration, and other agencies act as if pollution originates solely from farmers’ fields,” it stated. The AIKS insisted on long-term stubble management solutions rather than criminalising farmers.
The memorandum also reiterated that the Haryana Government’s actions violate the December 9, 2021 agreement by the Central Government, which exempted farmers from criminal liability in stubble cases.
