Punjab arhtiyas to shut shops for 3 days to support stir

CHANDIGARH: Arhtiyas in Punjab will keep their shops shut for three days from January 25 in support of farmers’ tractor parade in Delhi. “We have decided that there will be no business on January 25, 26 and 27 in support of the tractor parade,” said Vijay Kalra, president of the Federation of Arhtiyas, Punjab. The decision was taken to enable arhtiyas (commission agents) to take part in the farmers’ agitation at the Delhi borders. “We will join the farmers’ protest at Tikri and Singhu borders during these three days,” said Kalra. There will be no sale or procurement of crops at all grain markets for three days in the state, he said. Farmer unions protesting the Centre’s three farm laws had planned to hold a tractor parade in Delhi on the Republic Day. Last month, the commission agents had observed a four-day strike against the income tax raids. There are around 24,000 licensed ‘arhtiyas’ in the state. Farmers from Punjab and Haryana have been camping at Delhi’s borders for several weeks, demanding the repeal of the farm laws and a legal guarantee on the minimum support price for crops.

Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda joined the agitating farmers’ at Ramayan toll plaza in Hisar on Friday. Hooda said, “The nation is deeply hurt by the indifference of the government even after many farmers have lost their lives in this struggle for their legitimate demands.” “The martyrdom of farmers will not go in vain. Ultimately, the government will have to accept the farmers’ demands. The stir is going to complete two months and yet the government is trying to tire the farmers out through a series of dates. Such neglect of the ‘annadaata’ is unfortunate,” he added. The government must understand the input costs of farmers are increasing, he said.