Chakka jam in Punjab on Aug 16

CHANDIGARH, Aug 6: The combined front of Punjab units of CPI, CPM and BSP will hold a four-hour `chakka jam' in the state on August 16 ne...

CHANDIGARH, Aug 6: The combined front of Punjab units of CPI, CPM and BSP will hold a four-hour `chakka jam’ in the state on August 16 next to protest what they term as “anti-people, anti-Dalits and anti-Scheduled Castes’ policies” of Akali Dal-BJP combine government.

Addressing a joint press conference here today, Punjab CPI secretary Joginder Dayal, BSP president Col C.D. Singh Kamboj and CPM state committee secretary Balwant Singh deplored the Badal government for the alleged increase in police excesses, atrocities on Dalits, hike in bus fares and power tariff and indebtedness on rural farmers, and demanded the implementation of Mandal Commission report.

They said that the interest on loans taken by small and marginal farmers from the cooperative and commercial banks and commission agents should be waived of to save farmers from the clutches of indebtedness.

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The state government should provide 200 units of free electricity to the people living 40 per cent below the poverty line, they said adding that at least ten hours supply of electricity should be provided free daily for small farmers.

Flaying the Badal government’s recent decision of hiking bus fares by 44 per cent, they alleged that this step has been taken to benefit the transporters lobby. The state government has so far not taken any action against 2500 buses running without permit in the state, they added.

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