Bathinda: demanding compensation of Rs 60,000 per Acre for farmers who were harmed for damage to cotton plants due to a pink bollworm attack, Bharatiya Kisan Union (EKTA Ugrahan) on Tuesday began unlimited protests near the residence of the Punjab Minister of Finance in Badal Village.
Pastor Union activists call from five districts, Bathinda, Mansa, Muktsar, Fazilka and Faridkot, gathered in Ghudda Village before proceeding to Badal Village.
The police have installed a barricade near the Badal Village, but did not stop them when large amounts of farmers reached there.
On October 1, the protest was held at the Office of the Deputy Commissioner in these districts and farmers had requested unlimited protests from October 5, demanding compensation to cotton farmers suffered by them.
The state government has ordered special girdawari (income assessment) and compensate for RS 12,000 per acre that can be accepted due to losses from 76-100%.
However, farmers demanded Rs 60,000 per acre regardless of compensation of RS 30,000 per family of farm laborers due to work loss.
“We demand that aggrieved farmers be given compensation of Rs 60,000 per acre because the plants have been fully damaged and six months of agriculture already waste.
Many farmers have to pay land rent without cutting,” said Bku Ivahan Women Wing Head Harinder Kaur Bindu and Bathinda General Secretary General Harjinder Singh Baggi.
The President of the Mansa District of Agriculture Organization Ram Singh Bahinibagha said the protest would run parallel with those who had occurred in various places in Punjab and in Bahadurgarh near Delhi against controversial agricultural law.