FARMERS’ ORGANISATIONS held a rally and demonstration

Ludhiana, February 11, 2013: With a demand for increase in the minimum support price (MSP), various farmers’ organisations held a rally and demonstration from Chattar Singh Park to Mini Secretariat here on Monday.

The event was organised by the farmers organisations from across Punjab,  affiliated to CPI and CPI(M) , Bharti Kissan Union Ekta (Sidhupur) and All India Democratic Party. 

The rally was  addressed by Kartar Singh Bowani, Sukhminder Singh Sekhon-State Secretary Kisan Sabha, Surinder Jalaldiwal, Baldev Singh, Avtar Singh, Mukhtiar Singh, Amarjeet Singh Sidhwan, Sikander Singh, Hanrbas Singh.  

Speakers criticised the anti farmer policies of the government at the centre and state for ignoring their demands which has led large number of suicides by the farmers throughout India, including Punjab.  

They said the farmers have to face huge losses every year due to natural calamities that affect their production which are many a time destroyed. But governments  do not have any policy for them in this regard to meet the loss.  

They demanded that all loans given to small and medium farmers be waived off. 

They further demanded that the MSP for wheat be fixed at Rs.1,800 per quintal and an additional bonus of Rs. 150 be given to the farmers by the state government. This has become essential due to increase in the input costs like, diesel, electricity and fertilisers. Moreover there has been exorbitant rise in prices of essential commodities which the farmers have to use too.  

They also demanded increase in the MSP of sugarcane which is higher in Haryana by 45 rupees.

They also demanded that milk rate should be bought at the previous rates and not at the present reduced rates.   

The farmers’ organisations also warned of introduction of GM crops without safety audit. Such a move may lead to several problems for our food security and health in future, they strongly believed.