Waive debt, electricity bills: Punjab farm labourers

Bathinda, September 3

Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union members along with other labourer unions carried out a protest march in Bathinda demanding debt-waiver, permanent employment to labour class and a proposal in the Vidhan Sabha for revoking recent “anti-labour” class amendments to labour laws.

The protesters gathered near the Rose Garden area and after representatives from different unions of labourers addressed the gathering. They carried out a protest march in different parts of the city and raised slogans against state and central governments.

Members of the Dehati Mazdoor Sabha, Mazdoor Mukti Morcha, Khet Mazdoor Sabha and Punjab Khet Mazdoor Sabha participated in the protest.

Parkash Singh Nandgarh, a union leader, said, “We demand that all debts and outstanding electricity bills of farm labourers must be waived. The public distribution system must be streamlined and labourers and common man must be provided with essential commodities at subsidised rates.”

Pritpal Singh Rampura, another leader said, “Despite being assured in meeting with Cabinet Minister Brahm Mohindra recently, debts and electricity bills of labourers have not been waived till now. We will gherao Moti Mahal residence of Capt Amarinder Singh in Patiala on September 13.” — TNS