BKU says land pooling will affect livelihood of farmers

A large number of farmers, under the banner of Bharti Kisan Union (BKU), Ekta Ugrahan, staged a protest against the government’s land acquisition policy outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Monday. The farmer leaders stated that the policy, which aims to acquire land in around two dozen villages, has sparked widespread discontent. They claimed that it will leave them without a source of livelihood.

District president of BKU Ekta Ugrahan Kashmir Singh said that according to reports, notifications have been issued to acquire 4,464 acres of land in the district, which has caused widespread panic among farmers. He said that they have informed the Deputy Commissioner of the concerns of farmers over the policy, stating that it will have a devastating impact on the local population.

The farmers are demanding that the government reconsider its policy and provide adequate compensation to those who will be affected. They are also seeking relief for farmers who have already been impacted by the policy, including those who have lost crops due to delayed harvesting.

The protesting farmers have vowed to continue their agitation until their demands are met. They have also demanded that the Electricity Amendment Bill be revoked as it would be against the interests of the consumers.

The farmers also said that the government has still not paid compensation for the wheat crop damaged by heavy rain and hailstorm. They criticised former AAP minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal stating that he had visited the affected fields and promised compensation but it has not been done.

The protesters were addressed by Jagpal Singh, Parminder Singh Pandori, Jagjit Singh Baba, Pargat Singh Chaharpur, Kulbir Singh Jethuwal Bhittewad and others.