The Haryana committee of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) has raised serious concerns over the significant reduction in land dedicated to cotton cultivation across major cotton-growing districts in the state, including Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar, Bhiwani, Rewari, and Mahendergarh. This issue was a key topic during a state-level committee meeting held in Rohtak on Monday, where members attributed the declining trend to government policies and warned of severe repercussions for the nation's cotton economy and the livelihoods of millions of cotton farmers.
Meeting Highlights and Criticism of Centre's Policies
The meeting, presided over by AIKS state president Master Balbir Singh, strongly criticized the Centre's decision to once again abolish the 11 percent import duty on cotton. Singh alleged that this move would worsen the economic plight of already struggling cotton farmers by encouraging cheaper imports. The committee also expressed dissatisfaction with the recently announced Minimum Support Price (MSP) for kharif crops, stating that the increase was insufficient given the rising cost of cultivation and would not provide meaningful relief to farmers.
Support for Farmers' Struggles and Demands
Inderjit Singh, national vice-president of AIKS, highlighted that the committee commended the farmers of Bhiwani and Dadri for their successful 10-month struggle to secure insurance claims for kharif crops damaged in the 2023 season. A private company had initially denied these claims, but after sustained protests, the government approved compensation of Rs 375 crore. However, Singh pointed out discrepancies in the distribution of these funds and demanded immediate disbursal to farmers' accounts.
Opposition to Smart Meters and Separate Discom
The meeting also voiced strong opposition to the Haryana Government's proposed installation of smart electricity meters and the creation of a separate power distribution company (discom) for agriculture. The AIKS alleges that these measures are a step toward privatizing the power sector. Singh announced that the organization plans to launch a joint agitation in collaboration with power consumers and electricity employees in the coming months to oppose these moves.
Irrigation Infrastructure and Other Concerns
Sumit Dalal, state general secretary of AIKS, highlighted irrigation-related issues, noting that the organization had conducted eight panchayats under its 'Jhajjar to Ghaggar' campaign along the Hisar-Ghaggar Multipurpose Drain. The campaign focuses on maintenance, desilting, and proper water disposal into the Ittu headworks at Sirsa. Additionally, the committee condemned the recent increase in diesel, petrol, and LPG prices, arguing that higher fuel costs would further raise cultivation expenses and burden common citizens. Concern was also expressed over the reported shortage of fertilizers during the ongoing sowing season.
The AIKS has warned of protests if the government does not address these issues, emphasizing that the declining cotton acreage and policy failures threaten the agricultural sector's sustainability.
