BKU (Charuni) plans national platform for united farmers’ stir

Chief of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Charuni), Gurnam Singh Charuni, on Monday said efforts would be made to bring all farmer unions on a single platform and launch a national-level movement to effectively raise farmers’ issues.

The decision was taken at the union’s two-day national seminar held in Kurukshetra, which was attended by farmer leaders from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab.

Addressing mediapersons, Charuni said the seminar focused on strengthening and expanding the organisation, besides deliberating on key issues concerning farmers. He said the union had already given a call for a Mahapanchayat at the Pipli Grain Market on March 23.

“In the run-up to the Mahapanchayat, meetings will be held in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab. Farmers will be mobilised so that their voice can be raised in a united and effective manner,” he said, adding that issues such as the alleged paddy scam, unemployment, expensive healthcare, education and power tariffs would be highlighted.

Charuni alleged that despite repeated demands, the state government had not initiated strict action against officials involved in the paddy scam. “Serious irregularities, including bogus registrations and suspicious verification, came to light during the paddy procurement season,” he said.

He further alleged that while corporate houses benefited from policy support and loan waivers, farmers were being pushed into financial distress. “Many farmers are driven to extreme steps due to mounting debts and lack of support,” he claimed.

The BKU (Charuni) chief also announced that a meeting would be held in Delhi next month, in which other farmer unions would be invited for discussions on national and international issues related to agriculture.

“An attempt will be made to bring all unions on one platform, as a strong national-level movement is required to raise issues related to MSP, import of edible oils and export of rice,” Charuni said, adding that government policies on imports and exports had been a matter of serious concern for farmers. He said the date of the Delhi meeting would be announced soon and future strategy finalised thereafter.