Farmer union opposes Modi govt’s economic reforms

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, June 12

Farmers under the banner of Kirti Kisan Union (KKU) today carried out a protest march in the city to oppose the economic reforms of the Modi government, in its second innings.

The protesters gathered here at Desh Bhagat Yadgar hall to attend a conference.

While addressing the gathering, KKU state president Datar Singh said, “The Kirti Kisan Union, Punjab, took out the protest march as its first attempt in the country to oppose the Modi government’s 100 days corporate agenda.”

He added that these new reforms would be imposed on people as was done in 60s when green revolution agrarian model was enforced, which ultimately raised profits of multi-national corporations and replaced Indian varieties of seeds that were developed after years of efforts by farmers.

In the current scenario as well, a large number of farmers are indebted due to the costly inputs and low market prices of crops, he said.

Latest reports cleared that unemployment was highest in the country and suicide rates were also increasing every day, Datar Singh said.

State secretary Rachpal singh said the Modi government, for its corporate and communal agenda, was using the poor as cannon fodder.

“In the 17th Lok Sabha elections, the BJP didn’t even discuss about the agrarian distress or Swaminathan Commission report. Procurement agency FCI was dismantled and not a single grain of wheat was purchased by it this season from Punjab,” he said.

Farmers in debt

• The protesters gathered at Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall to attend a conference.
• In the current scenario, a large number of farmers are in debt due to the costly inputs and low market prices of crops, Datar Singh said.