Farmers seek loan waiver, legal guarantee for MSP at state meet

All India Kisan Sabha General Secretary Biju Krishnan today criticised the BJP-led Central and state governments, calling them “double engine of suffering”. Speaking at the sabha’s public rally at the Bhattu grain market in Fatehabad district, he said heavy rains and floods had devastated crops across northern India and famers should be paid Rs 50,000 per acre compensation, besides fair relief for labourers.

The 15th two-day state conference of the sabha began today. The rally was chaired by state president Balbir Singh and coordinated by state secretary Sumit Dalal and district president Vishnudatt. The conference will continue on Sunday at Aggarwal Dharamshala.

“This is a government for the rich,” Krishnan alleged. “Policies are made for corporates while farmers and workers face ruin. If MGNREGA jobs cannot be provided, unemployment allowance should be given to workers,” he added.

Krishnan also criticised the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, claiming that it profits insurance companies, not the farmers. He called for full loan waiver and legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) to ensure economic security for the rural poor.

Dr Inderjit Singh, national vice-president, reminded the audience that “750 farmers sacrificed their lives to force the government to withdraw the three farm laws”. He condemned recent jail warnings to farmers over stubble burning.

Former Rajasthan MLA Balwan Singh Poonia questioned the government on reported Rs 14.5 lakh crore loan waiver for corporates, but not for farmers. “Cocaine worth Rs 36,000 crore was seized at a port, yet drugs were reaching the youth. We must unite and fight this menace,” he said.

CITU state vice-president Surender Malik and Khet Mazdoor Union leader Ramkumar Bahbalpuria also addressed the rally.

District president Vishnudatt welcomed all leaders at Bhattu and pledged to continue the struggle for farmers’ rights.