FARMERS TO HOLD PROTEST AT HARIDWAR DM OFFICE ON NOVEMBER 9

HARIDWAR: Farmers’ unions have decided to hold a protest at the Haridwar district magistrate office on November 9 to intensify the ongoing agitation against the Centre’s three farm laws.

“Apart from demanding withdrawal of the three farm laws enacted by the union government, we will raise issues related to the agricultural sector during the protest to be held on November 9, the 21st Uttarakhand state foundation day,” Bharatiya Kisan Union (Sena) president Avneet Singh Pawar said on Sunday.

Farmers from Kumaon and Garhwal divisions will hold the protest outside the district magistrate office in Roshanabad under the leadership of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Sena).

Representatives of various unions are holding ‘chaupal’ (mini meetings) to mobilise farmers for the protest, Pawar said. “Both the state and central governments have failed to live up to the expectations of farmers who were hoping for good days during the BJP regime. But the party has turned out to be antipeasant,” he alleged.

The Centre and BJP leaders have been saying that the three laws were legislated to reform the agriculture sector and boost farmers’ income.

Pawar said they will submit a memorandum to the district magistrate to be forwarded to chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. “In the memorandum, we will demand, among others, holding of panchayat elections at the district, block and village levels at the earliest,” the BKU (S) president said.

“Timely and uniform compensation should be given to farmers for land acquisition being done by the National Highway Authority of India for projects in Kumaon and Garhwal divisions. Sugarcane dues should be paid to farmers on time. Government should also ensure benefits of welfare schemes reach the farmers,” Pawar said.

Meanwhile, Laksar Sugar Mill has said 40,000 tonne sugarcane crop will to be purchased from farmers from November 8. Iqbalpur Sugar Mill has assured to procure 80,000 tonne sugarcane from November 11.