SKM lays siege to Faridkot DC office

Under the aegis of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), farmers today laid siege to the Faridkot Deputy Commissioner’s office and demanded that the pace of paddy procurement and lifting work be sped up.

Farmers also expressed anger against the cuts being made on paddy purchase in mandis and demanded a strict action in this regard. They asked the government to immediately announce the extension of the deadline for the paddy procurement season, which was proving to be grueling for them. Instead of celebrating Diwali with their family, farmers alleged, they were sitting in mandis for the procurement of their paddy produce.

Raising the issue of acute shortage of DAP, farmers alleged that the fertiliser was being sold on the black market and they were being forced to buy unwanted pesticides and chemicals with every bag of DAP. SKM leaders said the conditions created by the Centre and the Punjab Government had forced farmers to sell paddy at a low rate. Some greedy sheller owners and confederates have become active in looting the labour of farmers, they alleged, urging the government to take strict steps to stop this “loot” immediately.

Alleging that farmers were facing problem in selling PR-126 and hybrid varieties, farm leaders asked CM Bhagwant Mann to take responsibility for compensating the farmers who planted PR-126 on

his recommendation.