Chandigarh, 17 April (H.S.):
The Rail Roko protest announced by farmer organizations in Punjab for today has been temporarily deferred. The decision was taken unanimously during a virtual (Zoom) meeting held by various farmer unions. Earlier, the protest was scheduled to take place from 12 noon to 3 PM, during which farmers planned to block railway tracks across the state.
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said that the Punjab government had requested three days’ time to solve the issue. Considering this, all farmer organizations collectively decided to postpone the protest. He said that state cabinet meeting is also scheduled, and the unions wanted to give the government an opportunity to resolve the matter.
According to farmer leaders, farmers across Punjab have been facing significant hardships in mandis over the past 10–15 days. Delays in wheat procurement and lifting have forced farmers to wait with their produce, leading to both financial losses and mental stress.
They stated that the main objective of the protest was to push the central government to relax procurement norms for wheat. As per reports, there is now a proposal to allow up to 80% discolored grains and 20% shriveled grains. However, farmer leaders claim that several technical issues still remain unresolved.
The unions also alleged that the Punjab government acted late on the matter. They pointed out that Haryana had already written to the central government earlier, and Rajasthan had raised concerns about farmers’ difficulties as early as April 5. In contrast, Punjab reportedly sent its communication only after the Rail Roko protest was announced, which, according to the unions, worsened the situation.
Farmers further held the state government led by Bhagwant Mann and policies associated with Arvind Kejriwal responsible for the delay. However, they expressed hope that the central government’s possible relaxation of norms would soon streamline the procurement process.
Farmer organizations also informed that a key meeting of the SKM will be held in Ludhiana on Saturday, where the next course of action will be decided.
They added that the government and some sections of the media had been highlighting potential inconvenience to the public due to the Rail Roko protest. Keeping public concerns in mind, the unions chose to defer the agitation. However, they maintained that a three-hour protest would not have caused major disruption, and alleged that attempts were being made to weaken their movement.
Farmer leaders urged farmers and laborers across the state to remain alert and prepared. They said that wherever procurement-related issues persist in mandis, local unions can come together and take appropriate action.
The farmer groups have warned that if their demands are not addressed within the next three days, they will intensify their agitation.
Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH
