Punjab farmers protest stubble burning penalties, demand dues and bonus

“We also demand immediate release of ₹109 crore pending dues owed to farmers by cooperative sugar mills and an increase in the sugarcane price to ₹470 per quintal,” said Jagmohan Singh Patiala, state general secretary of Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Dakaunda.

The memorandum further sought an assured supply of DAP (diammonium phosphate) fertiliser, an end to forcing farmers to buy unnecessary fertilisers and pesticides along with DAP and urea, and relaxation of the moisture limit in paddy procurement from 17 per cent to 22 per cent. Deductions made in mandis on the pretext of moisture and discoloured grains amounted to exploitation of farmers and must be stopped, it said.

Due to unseasonal rains, paddy yield has dropped significantly across Punjab. In many places, paddy crops have been destroyed by bacterial leaf blight. “The SKM demands a ₹500 per quintal bonus for reduced yield and ₹50,000 per acre compensation where crops were completely damaged,” said Balbir Singh Rajewal, national coordination committee member of SKM.

The SKM also said both the Punjab and Central Governments had merely made symbolic gestures in the name of flood relief. It demanded full compensation for affected families, including owners of riverine (kachha) lands.

Through the memorandums, the SKM termed the Electricity Amendment Bill 2025 as an attack on states’ rights and an attempt to privatise power distribution. It urged the Punjab Government to pass a resolution opposing the Bill and send it to the Centre before November 8.

“The SKM Punjab strongly opposed the dissolution of the Senate and Syndicate of Panjab University, Chandigarh, calling it a direct blow to Punjab’s rights. It demanded restoration of the university’s earlier status and re-establishment of a truly democratic system,” said Joginder Singh Ugrahan, national coordination committee member of SKM.

‘Withdraw all cases registered against farmers’

The organisation also sought the withdrawal of all cases registered against farmers during and after the Delhi farmers’ movement and the ‘Rail Roko’ agitation.

Leaders who led delegations to submit memorandums in different districts included Balbir Singh Rajewal, Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Harinder Singh Lakhowal, Ruldu Singh Mansa, Boota Singh Burj Gill, Nirbhai Singh Dhudike, Manjit Singh Dhaner, Dr. Darshan Pal, Balkaran Singh Brar, Dr. Satnam Singh Ajnala, Harmeet Singh Kadian, Jangveer Singh Chauhan, Sukhdev Singh Araiyanwala, Balwinder Singh Malli Nangal, Farman Singh Sandhu, Boota Singh Shadipur, Nachhattar Singh Jaito, Malook Singh Heerke, Prem Singh Bhangu, Veer Singh Barwa, Hardev Singh Sandhu, Kiranjeet Singh Sekho, Balwinder Singh Raju, Binder Singh, Bough Singh Mansa, Harbans Sangha, and Harjinder Tanda.