Streamlining farm loans: Arhtiyas hold protest

Hundreds of commission agents on Tuesday staged a state-level protest at Muktsar grain market in protest against the legislation to streamline farm loans in the state.

Addressing the protesters, Arhtiya Federation president Vijay Kalra said, “Farmers in the state have a very good bond with commission agents. Arhtiyas help farmers in thick and thin. The government can’t decide the amount of loan given to a farmer by the commission agent.”

He added, “The state government is trying to impose its policies on arhtiyas, but the commission agents will not tolerate this. The government should rethink on its decision.”

Kalra warned that if the fourmember panel formed by the government to resolve the issue does not accept the demands of arhtiyas, they will start an indefinite strike from September 1.

He also criticised the Modi government at the Centre for issuing a notification, as per which the Cotton Corporation of India will purchase cotton from the farmers and make payments directly into their accounts.

He said, “Farmers are under heavy debt and the banks will deduct their amount. Farmers will not get their full payment and this will worsen their condition. The government is doing this to benefit the banking sector and the move will deprive arhtiyas of their commission.”