Farmers protest outside Patiala DC’s office

Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 18

Farmers associated with seven unions held a protest outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office in the city today. They demanded complete loan waiver. They rejected the government’s offer of waiver up to Rs 2 lakh.

 They alleged that signed blank cheques were collected by commission agents from farmers, which should be returned. They demanded a complete ban on the auction of their land in case of the non-payment of loans.

 The farmers also demanded the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report. The protesters added that they should be given proper compensated for crop loss due to inadequate power arrangements, rain, low-quality seeds and pesticides. They demanded jobs for the kin of the farmers who committed suicide, along with Rs 10 lakh relief for each family. 

The also expressed concern over the registration of cases for stubble burning. They said till the time the government did not provide facilities for the management of the crop residue, they should be compensated for managing it on their own.