Haryana: SKM opposes smart meters, seeks cotton tariff rollback

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has demanded the withdrawal of the proposed Smart Meter Scheme, re-imposition of the 11% import tariff on cotton and assurances that fertile farmland will not be acquired under state projects.

The SKM meeting, held in Narwana town of Jind district today, was attended by farmer activists from across Haryana. The gathering unanimously rejected the Smart Meter Scheme, terming it a step towards electricity privatisation.

In a resolution, farmer leaders said, “Electricity is an essential service and a lifeline and never meant to be a profit-making sector. Rates are being raised to hand over the sector to private corporations and the prepaid smart meter plan is part of these ulterior motives.”

The SKM resolved to launch a state-wide campaign to resist installation of smart meters.

Suresh Rathi, president of the Electricity Employees Union, cautioned that “power rates would become unaffordable for farmers, poor households and small traders after privatisation.”

On cotton, farmer leader Inderjit Singh criticised the government for scrapping the 11% import tariff. He pointed out that the Centre had extended the tariff suspension till December 31 under US pressure. “The withdrawal of tariffs will prove disastrous for already distressed cotton growers,” he said. The SKM announced effigy-burning protests of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former US President Donald Trump on September 1, 2, and 3 against the decision.

The meeting also opposed the Haryana Government’s land pooling project, under which farmers were being asked to apply for selling land. Farmer leaders cited proposals such as acquiring five lakh acres to build a Smart City at Agroha in Hisar, calling them a violation of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, which bars acquisition of fertile farmland.

A resolution moved by Sumit Singh expressed grief for those who lost their lives in the recent floods in Punjab and urged the Haryana Government to compensate local farmers for crop losses due to excessive rains and flooding.

Among those present were Master Balbir, Suresh Koth, Kanwarjit, Jogender Nain, Subedar Ranbir, Rattan Maan, Tejender Thind, Vikas Sisar, Ishwar Rathi, Harjinder, Baba Gurdeep and Jitender Asandh.