Farm unions burn draft copies of new agricultural marketing policy

On the call of Samyukt Kisan Morcha, Achhar Singh Bildon of the Kul Hind Kisan Sabha, Hans Raj of the Kirti Kisan Sabha and Ramji Das Chauhan of the Jamhuri Kisan Sabha today burnt copies of new agricultural marketing policy at Garhshankar.

Bildon said through this draft, the Centre wanted to implement the black laws that were repealed during 2021 after year-long farm stir.

Raj said the Centre should give legal guarantee on minimum support price (MSP) and the Punjab Government should call a special session of the Vidhan Sabha to reject this draft.

Farm leaders Darshan Singh Mattoo, BB Subhash Mattoo, Mahendra Kumar Baroan, Sher Jung Bahadur Singh, Iqbal Singh, Harmesh Singh Dhesi, Kulwinder Singh Chahal, Kulwant Singh, Kulbhushan Kumar, and Shigara Ram also addressed the gathering.

In Amritsar, hundreds of farmers and labourers today protested against the Centre’s new agricultural marketing policy. Members of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee burnt draft copies of the new policy at Ram Bagh, Putlighar, Attari, Chogawan, Modhe and Ajnala.

Dr Satnam Singh Ajnala, president of the Jamuhari Kisan Sabha, criticised the Centre for trying to implement three repealed farm laws through backdoor.

Mangal Singh Dharamkot of the Punjab Kisan Union, alleged that the policy would lead to corporatisation of agricultural market.

The protester said new policy would make it harder for farmers to get minimum support prices on their crops.

Farm leader Rattan Singh Randhawa said the Centre was trying every possible way to let corporate houses take control of agriculture sector. He said it would not only harm farmers, but also small traders and consumers. Farm leaders, including Satnam Singh Jhander and Jagga Singh Dalla sought immediate withdrawal of new draft.