Farmer unions express disappointment

Manmeet Singh Gill

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 18

Farmer bodies have flayed the state government for “failing” to meet the expectations of the agrarian community passing through financial crises. The government has allocated Rs 19.47 crore as compensation of Rs 10,000 per acre to farmers of six districts whose land is situated between the border fence and the international border.

Border Area Sangharsh Committee leader Rattan Singh Randhawa said, “It was after the High Court’s intervention that the government had fixed Rs 10,000 per acre as compensation for farmers. The state government has to give 50 per cent matching grant. Debt is the biggest issue being faced by farmers.”

According to Randhawa, the Congress had promised complete loan waiver. “It is just letting the time pass. The state government should fullfill its promise. A multidimensional approach is needed to bring farmers out of the present crisis,” he said.

While the government has kept Rs 375 crore for crop residue management, farmers said though the government was giving subsidy on costly machinery, it would ultimately lead to burden on farmers as they would have to pay the remaining amount.

With the government allocating Rs 20 crore for diary development, a farmer, Rawel Singh, said, “In the dairy sector, the issue is that farmers do not get good price of milk as adulterated and synthetic products are being sold openly. Dairy farming can be a profitable venture only if the government checks such malpractices.”

Dhanwant Singh Khatarekalan, president, Kirti Kisan Union, said, “The government is not addressing the real and genuine issues. Most of the announcements regarding agriculture sector are mere announcements and formalities. There is nothing which will alter the present state of affairs.”