Farmers Movement Archive

In 5 Punjab districts, protesters seek compensation for cotton crop damage

Bathinda: Demanding a compensation of Rs 60,000 per acre for farmers whose cotton crop has been damaged by the outbreak of a pest named pink bollworm, farmers held protests at deputy commissioner (DC) offices in five districts of Punjab on Friday. The farmers also took out protest marches in the five districts — Bathinda, Mansa, Muktsar, Fazilka and Faridkot. Farm outfit BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) has now decided to start an indefinite protest near the residence of Punjab finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal at Badal village from October 5. They will continue the protest till full compensation is not provided to aggrieved farmers for loss to cotton crop. Farmers also lambasted the central government for delaying paddy procurement by 10 days and demanded a review of the order. The state government has already ordered a special girdawari (revenue assessment) to assess the loss to crop by the pink bollworm outbreak. Upon finding the loss from 76% to 100%, the compensation of Rs 12,000 per acre is admissible. Farmers, however, are demanding Rs 60,000 per acre, apart from compensation of Rs 30,000 per farm for labourer families for job loss. BKU (Ekta Dakaunda) general secretary Jagmohan Singh said they were demanding Rs 60,000 per acre as the crop had been damaged completely and six months of farmers had already gone into growing the the failed crop. He said many of them would have to pay for the land lease without growing any crop, said farmer outfit.

The Times of India

2021-10-02

Chandigarh