Farmers protest across Malwa over 'neglect' by state, Centre

Farmers affiliated with the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Punjab) today staged large-scale protests outside district administrative offices across several parts of Malwa, accusing the state government and the Centre of negligence and pursuing anti-farmer policies.

Farmer leaders highlighted what they called government apathy in providing relief to farmers affected by the recent floods.

They alleged that the floods were not a natural calamity but the result of administrative failure by the Punjab and Union governments, along with the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). The leaders claimed that authorities had filled the dams prematurely and when heavy rains followed, released excess water, inundating nearly five lakh acres and causing extensive damage to crops, houses and infrastructure.

They also criticised the delay in government procurement of paddy, even though the crop has started arriving in mandis. They said the delay forced farmers to sell their produce to private traders at distress rates. The farmer leaders further condemned the state government’s action of registering FIRs against farmers for stubble burning, saying the administration should instead focus on aiding flood victims and addressing farmers’ financial stress.

At the protest outside the Mansa Deputy Commissioner’s office, BKU (Ugrahan) state representative Shingara Singh Mann demanded financial assistance in line with the directions of the National Green Tribunal and Supreme Court. He said farmers have been seeking support of Rs 200 per quintal of paddy or Rs 7,000 per acre to manage crop residue and stubble.

Protests were also held outside the District Administrative Complex in Muktsar, where farmers submitted a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister and Chief Minister. Their demands included a Rs 25,000-crore flood relief package, compensation of Rs 70,000 per acre for damaged crops, and Rs 25 lakh ex gratia for families of those who died during the floods. They also called for withdrawal of FIRs registered over stubble burning and postponement of loan instalments.