BKU mobilises support in Malwa villages for protest over crop relief

Bathinda, October 21

Farmers under the banner of BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) in Bathinda and Mansa districts are busy mobilising support ahead of its call to start an indefinite agitation over not being provided compensation for the pink bollworm-hit cotton crop. The agitation will begin outside mini-secretariat in Bathinda on October 25. BKU members have been holding regular meetings at village and block levels in these two Malwa districts.

Jasvir Singh Burj Sema, a leader of the union said, “Today meetings were conducted by committees of 35 villages in Bathinda district. Members of the union also carried out a door-to-door activity in villages and exhorted residents to participate in the indefinite agitation in large numbers to make it a success.”

Sema added, “We have been demanding Rs 60,000 compensation for the cotton crop damage on one acre for affected farmers and Rs 30,000 compensation to every labourer who couldn’t not get the opportunity to work in fields after the Malwa belt came under the pink bollworm attack this season. We also demand a strict punitive action against companies selling spurious seeds and pesticides. “The government must also provide compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to families of farmers who committed suicide after suffering the crop loss.

Ram Singh Bhaini Bagha, president of BKU Mansa unit said: “We protested outside the Finance Minister’s residence for 15 days but government remained indifferent on the matter. So we have decided to start an indefinite agitation against it now. Preparations to that effect are in full-swing and we have been holding meetings regularly to mobilise support for the stir.” — TNS