SKM gives government November 18 deadline over farmer demands, announces major blockade from Nov 20

Samyukta Kisan Morcha has set a deadline of November 18 before the government and local administration for the resolution of crop procurement and other pending issues. Farmer organizations have made it clear that if action is not taken by the set date, movement and trains will be permanently disrupted near the Dhandowali railway gate in Jalandhar starting November 20.

Leaders of the Morcha have demanded that the paddy stuck in mandis be purchased immediately. Along with this, it has also been asked to increase the price for sugarcane cultivators to Rs 500 per quintal and to immediately release farmers' dues.

Due to bumper arrival of paddy in mandis across Punjab, procurement work has halted at many places. State Food and Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak and departmental secretary Rahul Tiwari stated that according to the Agriculture Department's assessment, total arrivals in mandis could touch the 200 lakh metric tonne mark, while a target of only 180 lakh metric tonnes was set by the Centre.

So far, about 177 lakh metric tonnes of paddy has been procured officially. With the central target approaching, procurement agencies have pulled back from taking more produce at several centers. To purchase the remaining 20 lakh metric tonnes of grain, the Punjab Government needs an additional cash credit limit of around Rs 4900 crore, for which a letter has been sent to the Central Government.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has ordered his ministers and officers to strongly present this matter before the Centre. On the other hand, BKU Ekta Ugrahan state president Joginder Singh Ugrahan has also said that if crop lifting does not begin soon, the agitation will be intensified.

Key developments

• SKM sets November 18 deadline to accept demands
• Warning of rail and road blockade in Dhandowali from November 20 if issues not resolved
• Demand to resume paddy lifting and set sugarcane rate at Rs 500
• Punjab government seeks fresh approval from Centre to procure remaining crop