-Punjab government should solve issues related to water and agriculture crisis on priority basis
CHANDIGARH: The 32 Farmer organizations of the Samyukat Kisan morcha of Punjab, held a grand Mahapanchayat in sector 34 here on the first day of the session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha and strongly raised the issues related to the water & agricultural crisis of Punjab and demanded to take concrete decisions to solve the same.
Thousands of farmers from all corners of Punjab have given a clear message to the Bhagwant Singh Mann government of Punjab with today's Mahapanchayat that farmers want a concrete solution to their demands, If the government ignores their demands, be prepared to face a massive movement in the future.
In the Mahapanchayat, issues related to Punjab's water and agriculture crisis were the top priority of the speakers. Highlighting the need to formulate a water policy of Punjab to prevent depleted ground water table and pollution of rivers and other water sources, the speakers said that Punjabis should build a strong mass movement to get canal water to every farm and clean drinking water to every house.The Mahapanchayat demanded the Punjab government to arrange the necessary financial budget for the reconstruction of the dilapidated canal structure of Punjab and for its expansion in new areas.The leaders of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha also advocated the central government to give a special financial package to Punjab in this regard.There was also a demand to make the quantity of water from the canal outlets (moghas) as per the present needs and to construct the moghas according to the technical experts and the practical needs of the farmers instead the current defective design.
Farmer leaders stressed to frame the agriculture policy in favour of farmers and nature instead of corporates and said that the Punjab government should promote the cultivation of crops that require less water and guarantee the purchase of all crops including Basmati at MSP.
Demanding to solve the issue of river waters on the basis of the riparian principle and the constitutional system. The farmer leaders said that the Punjab government needs to pursue the right of ownership of the rivers. Demanding the repeal of the Dam Safety Act, the speakers also demanded the passing of a resolution in this regard in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.
In the Mahapanchayat, the issue of debt incurred by the farmers was a prominent issue. The speakers blamed both, Punjab and the central government that the debt is a result of pro-corporate agricultural policies. Governments that have waived off million crores of rupees to corporates have made a fuss about the debt relief of farmers and laborers.SKM accused the CM of punjab, who has withdrawn his hands from the implementation of the demand accepted last year to give 'one time settlement' scheme in cooperative banks. He urged the farmers to intensify the struggle on this issue.
Farmer leaders demanded from the central government to open trade through Attari and Hussainiwala border road corridors to Middle East and Pakistan. SKM punjab said that the trade being done through the sea route by bypassing the road corridors of Punjab is proving to be a boon for the corporate houses but the economy of Punjab is suffering great losses especially to the farmers, labourers, traders, small agribusinesses and truck operators.SKM punjab demanded that the Punjab Government should take measures to put pressure on the Central Government to open this trade route by passing a resolution in the Vidhan Sabha.
Demanding strict action to curb widespread corruption in cooperative institutions of Punjab, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha strongly stressed the Punjab government to pay more attention to strengthening the cooperative movement. Farmer leaders reminded the Punjab government that in December last year, Bhagwant Mann had accepted the demand to lift the ban on opening new accounts in cooperative societies, but it has not been implemented yet.
The speakers demanded from the Punjab government to ensure advance arrangements of DAP for the next crop. Besides compensating the farmers for the loss due to adultrated fertilisers, pesticides and seeds and they also stressed on their quality testing report should be ensured in all cases before supply.
Demanding immediate arrangements for the lifting of paddy from the Rice mills and warehouses, the leaders of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha said that the possibility of disturbance of the paddy procurement cannot be ruled out due to non-lifting. Morcha warned the Punjab government that if this happens, the Morcha will be forced to take strict action. A demand was also raised for adequate and consistent compensation for the damages caused by the floods last year.
Demanding withdrawal of smart chip meters, the Mahapanchayat demanded repeal the privatization policy of distribution of electricity sector.
Maha Panchayat was addressed by Shri Balvir Singh Rajewal, Buta Singh Burjgill, Harinder Singh Lakhowal, Raminder Singh Patiala, Harmeet Singh Kadian, Dr.Darshanpal, Dr. Satnam Singh Ajnala, Manjit Singh Dhaner, Baldev Singh Nihalgarh, Jangveer Singh Chauhan, Ruldu Singh Mansa, Bogh Singh Mansa, Furman Singh Sandhu, Prem Singh Bhangu, Binder Singh Golewala, Kanwalpreet Singh Pannu, Harjinder Singh Tanda, Buta Singh Shadipur, Maluk Singh Hirke, Veer Singh Barwa, Baljit Singh Grewal, Balwinder Singh Malli Nangal, Hardev Singh Sandhu, Kiranjit Singh Sekhon. Balwinder Singh Raju Aulakh, Sukhdev singh Arayanwala, Harbans Singh sangha, Nachhatar Singh Jaito, Sukh Gill Moga and Kuldeep Singh Wajidpur.
Atlast kumar amit, IAS, special principal secretary of CM received the memorandum at the dias of Mahapanchayat and assured the SKM a panel meeting with CM in near future.