Patiala panchayat caps labour charges, Rs 50K fine for violation

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, June 11

A panchayat in the Nabha block of the district has passed a resolution regarding capping labour charges. A labourer will be imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 if found overcharging. Farmers will also be fined if found to be violating the resolution.

The Naura panchayat has announced that each farm labourer will get Rs 700 without dry ration for one bigha of paddy plantation. However, the price will be Rs 650 with dry ration. The decision to pass the resolution was taken in the presence of a few kisan union leaders and members of the panchayat.

Ironically, the decision viewed against the labourers came when farm labourers were openly supporting farmers in their agitation against the three farm laws.

Decision draws criticism

The decision drew strong criticism from the Zameen Prapti Sangharsh Committee, Punjab. The committee has already demanded action against the Naura panchayat. It said the decision was against farm labourers.

When asked about the same, Dharminder Singh, sarpanch, Naura, said the decision was taken to maintain uniformity in the price of paddy plantation. He said, “Once the rate is fixed, there will be no issue regarding price among farmers. The decision has been taken with consensus. The charges are neither low nor too high for both farmers and labourers.”

The decision, however, drew strong criticism from the Zameen Prapti Sangharsh Committee, Punjab. The committee had already demanded action against the Naura panchayat. The committee said the decision was against poor farm labourers.