Members of unions to start agitation from Jaiton Mandi today Jalandhar, November 13 Members of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Doaba, BKU Ekta and Punjab Sugarcane Farmers’ Committee Dasuya and Dhuri on Wednesday said they would stage an indefinite protest from Thursday if cases registered against them due to stubble burning were not withdrawn. They will start their agitation from Jaiton Mandi and later, extend it to other cities of the state. The farmers condemned registration of cases against them. They said the distribution of advanced machines for managing the paddy straw remained in official documents only. A few famers could avail the benefits of machines, that too after paying hefty amount, and are still uncertain about receiving the subsidies. Baljinder Singh, a farmer from Nawanshahr, who cultivated the crop in his 50 acres land, said, even after visiting the agriculture department several times, he wasn’t provided the machines, hence, resorted to burning the crop residue. “Paddy straw takes time in mixing with the soil which isn’t possible with normal tractors, advanced technology machines and tractors are needed for doing the job, however, medium and small scale farmers have none. Therefore, preventing from any delay in sowing the next crop, they have to set fire the crop residue”, added Baljinder, who is also booked for stubble burning. Manjit Singh, president, BKU Doaba, demanded withdrawal of cases registered against farmers. He urged that instead of Rs 100 per quintal relief to farmers, the Supreme Court should order the government to provide famers Rs 200 per quintal as the financial assistance for managing paddy straw. Around 10-14 quintals of crop residue gets accumulated in one acre land and it’s unaffordable for farmers to manage the paddy straw in an eco-friendly manner with this meager amount. Besides, the sugarcane growers have also demanded release of pending dues from the state government and private mill owners within 10 days. The Punjab Sugarcane Farmers Committee said the government owed Rs 185 crore to farmers and private mill owners Rs 225 crore. The committee also demanded that like other states, the Punjab government should also hike the prices of sugarcane. In Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, sugarcane farmers are paid, Rs 325,330 and 340 per quintal, however, the sugarcane growers in Punjab are paid only Rs 310, said Sukhpal Singh Daffar, a committee member.

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