Bhagwant Mann urges farmers to lift dharna, they say: ‘mediate, get our issues resolved by Centre’

Shubhkaran, a native of Bathinda, was killed in the clashes on the Punjab-Haryana border on February 21 during farmers’ protest. The clashes erupted when some protesting farmers were trying to head towards the barricades installed by Haryana and were stopped by security personnel from crossing the state border and marching to Delhi.

Interacting with the bereaved family members after handing over the cheque and appointment letter, Mann said the Punjab government is committed towards the well-being of the state’s food growers.

Shubhkaran had attained martyrdom, Mann said, adding that this “barbaric and tragic incident had bruised the psyche of every Punjabi”.
“The martyrdom of a farmer is a huge and irreparable loss for the family which cannot be compensated by any means,” he said.

Later, sources privy to the meeting told The Indian Express that the CM spoke to the farmers’ delegation about several issues confronting the agriculture and the farmers themselves. “He told them that it has been long that they have been sitting on a dharna at border. Several farmers lost their lives. The industry was complaining that it was suffering and it would not be in favour of Punjab if the industry flies away from the state. He also talked about depleting of underground water that was fast turning Punjab into desert.,” said the source. He added that the farmers then told Mann that their protest was against the Centre. They asked him to mediate between the Centre and the farmers and ensure that their demands were met.

The CM is also learnt to have told the farmer leaders that Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian is meeting Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday, and he would take up their issue with him.

Tejveer Singh, a spokesperson of farmers said, “The CM asked the delegation to lift the dharna. However, the leaders told them that he should get their matter resolved with the Centre and they would happily go home. But they also told him that unless their demands are met in totality, they would not go home. The CM has assured the leaders that he would intervene and take up the matter with the Centre.”

He also added that they have called off their protest of gherao the Bathinda SSP and Deputy Commissioner scheduled on July 12 after the government met with their demand to hand over the compensation and job to Shubhkaran’s family. He added, “We also understand that they had organised this meeting ahead of Jalandhar byelection. There are several farmers who have still not got the ex-gratia. Some have not been given the entire amount.”

The CM has been busy with campaigning in Jalandhar West for past several days. He returned to Chandigarh Monday evening and held a meeting with the farmers leaders on Tuesday.

Earlier, in February, when the farmers had started the protest, Mann had mediated for six rounds of meetings between farmers and a panel of Union ministers. The meetings had remained inconclusive. The farmers have been demanding MSP on all crops and have stated that they will not budge until MSP is given.

Khuddian’s agenda for Chouhan

Khuddian, who is meeting Chouhan on Wednesday, has diversification, MSP, depletion of underground water on agenda, it has been learnt.

Sources said that the state government will seek funds for ensuring canal water supply coverage in all parts of Punjab. The move aims to make sure that the power-pumped tubewells are replaced and injudicious use of underground water is stopped. Sources also said that Khuddian will be raising the issue of withholding of Rural Development Fund (RDF) and Mandi Development Fund (MDF) to the tune of Rs 6,767 crore by the Centre. “We have prepared a case as to how our mandi infrastructure and roads network in villages was suffering as the state had no money due to Centre not paying anything. Also, we have to seek MSP on all crops for the diversification. Otherwise, Punjab’s fertile land would turn into barren land,” an official said.