Other farmers body rejects BKS’ truce

The RSS-affiliated Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) has called off its agitation in Rajasthan after holding talks with the state government, while other farmer groups have hardened their stance. The state government has agreed to some of BKS’ demands, but has not given any assurance for farm loan waiver.

Kisan Mahapanchayat, which has so far restricted its agitation to the district-level, has decided to call a state-wide “gaon bandh” to disrupt the supply of milk and vegetables. “The government has not invited us for talks as they have no intention of meeting our demands,” Kisan Mahapanchayat president Rampal Jat told HT.

“We will intensify our agitation and launch a state-wide gaon bandh under which the supply of milk and vegetables will be stopped. “We have called a meeting on Thursday to announce the date for launch of ‘gaon bandh.’ Our main demand is loan waiver and adequate prices for the produce,” Jat said.

The Congress too will continue to support the farmers agitation until the state government waives off the farm loan something that the government is reluctant to do.

The BKS that had launched its ‘mahapadav’ (sit-in) from June 15 in seven divisional headquarters called off its agitation on Monday night after the state government agreed to meet some of the demands and promised to look into other demands. The state government has assured to bring a law to make buying of farmers produce below minimum support price in open market a punishable offence.

For this, a committee will study the existing law in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. In addition, in next six months all mandis will be installed with electronic weighing machines. From next assembly session onwards, first few days will be reserved only for the discussion on farmers and other agriculture related issues.