Providing land record to FCI not feasible: Farmers

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, April 5

On the call of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, farmers protested at the Food Corporation of India’s (FCI) office on Monday. Recently, the FCI had asked farmers to provide land records for receiving online payment and reduction of moisture content in wheat.

Agitators first gheraod the FCI office after which a protest was held outside the DC office. Protesters burnt effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

Farm leaders said prime motive of the FCI was to procure grains on MSP and provide it to consumers at valid rates. They said the Centre was hell-bent upon diluting this establishment.

Farmers said providing land records was impossible, especially for the ones who were tilling land owned by others. Protesters said corporates (Adani) has built silos in Punjab, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Karnatak, Maharashtra, and West Bengal. They said these silos would eventually eliminate the importance of the FCI. Amanjot Singh Jandiala of the BKU (Rajewal), said, “The FCI seeking ownership papers from farmers will jeopardise farming in the state. Farmers are already reeling under debt. Now, dividends of those conducting contractual farming will go straight to owners as per land ownership.”

Farmers said jathas have left for Delhi to participate in the 24-hour blockage of the KMP Expressway on April 10. Kulwinder Singh Machiana of the BKU (Rajewal), Buta Singh from the Kirti Kisan Union, Gurjit Singh Kahlon, Sarabjit Kaur and Mangaljit Singh Pandori, among others, were present on the occasion.