‘Will continue protest until govt withdraws biometric rule’: Farmers announce black day on April 14

Jind: The indefinite sit-in by the BKU against the biometric crop procurement system entered its sixth consecutive day at the grain markets in Julana and Jind on Monday, even as farmers announced that ‘Black Day' would be observed on Baisakhi.As part of the protest, farmers would wear black bands or black clothes on the day. The farmers alleged that the govt was bringing in new laws to harass them.They emphasised that the call was not limited to a single organisation but had been jointly given by all farmer unions. Pardeep Ghimana, a protesting farmer from Jind, said a state-level mahapanchayat would soon be convened in Jind to take a major decision on the course of the agitation.Farmers are continuously holding protests at the market committee office premises in the district grain market.Addressing the protest, BKU press spokesperson Ramraji Dhull demanded a compensation of Rs 200 per quintal for farmers, stating that unseasonal rains and hailstorms had caused significant losses to farmers in the state, and they should be compensated accordingly. He added that the protest would continue until the govt withdraws the biometric rule.Naugama Khap president Suresh Bahbalpur said some people wanted farmers to lock the grain markets, but farmers are peace-loving. Since the grain market belongs to farmers, they will not lock it under any circumstances and will continue to protest peacefully and democratically to make their voices heard by the govt.BKU district president Bindr Numberdar raised concerns over the farmer rest house at the grain market, stating that although the building is labeled as a "Farmer Rest House," there are no proper facilities for farmers to stay or sit, and instead, an e-Disha center is operating there. He said a meeting will be held in this regard.He demanded that the govt immediately abolish the biometric system in the interest of farmers. He added that if gate passes can be issued manually due to disruptions in the e-procurement portal, then crop procurement can also be done manually.MSID:: 130235703 413 |