Haryana Farmers Stage Dual Protests Over Crop Losses and Mandi Restrictions
Farmers in Haryana's Hisar and Fatehabad districts took to the streets on Thursday, voicing their discontent over two critical issues: inadequate compensation for crop losses caused by severe weather and newly imposed restrictions on agricultural produce sales in local markets. The demonstrations highlighted growing frustration within the farming community as they grapple with both natural calamities and administrative hurdles.
Hisar Farmers Demand Immediate Relief for Weather-Damaged Crops
In Hisar, members of the All India Kisan Sabha organized a significant demonstration at the mini secretariat, where they submitted a detailed memorandum addressed directly to the Chief Minister. The farmers are seeking urgent compensation for extensive crop damage resulting from unseasonal rains, powerful winds, and hailstorms that struck the region on March 31.
Farmer leader Surendra Mann provided a grim assessment of the situation, stating that the adverse weather conditions had severely impacted vital crops including wheat, gram, mustard, and barley across multiple villages within Hisar tehsil. The memorandum, formally presented under the leadership of Kisan Sabha president Ramesh Mirkan and secretary Abhayram Fauji, outlines several specific demands from the agricultural community.
The farmers have called for:
- An immediate special survey of all affected agricultural areas
- Complete 100% assessment of crop damage across the region
- Prompt release of compensation funds to affected farmers
- A special relief package specifically designed for debt-ridden farmers
Mirkan delivered a stark warning about the agricultural situation, describing farming in the region as "almost completely ruined" by the weather events. He emphasized that the protest movement would intensify significantly if the administration failed to respond with swift and appropriate action. Officials present at the demonstration accepted the memorandum and provided assurances that appropriate measures would be taken.
Opposition to New Mandi Regulations Gains Momentum
Simultaneously, farmers raised strong objections against new government regulations affecting agricultural market operations. Members of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Sidhupur) and the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) submitted a separate memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu, urging the withdrawal of what they describe as restrictive measures on crop sales in mandis.
The farmers are demanding that rabi crops, particularly wheat and mustard, be procured at the government-established Minimum Support Price (MSP). They have characterized the Haryana government's new rules as "draconian" and impractical for everyday agricultural operations.
The controversial regulations include:
- Mandatory biometric verification for obtaining gate passes
- Requirement to upload photographs of tractor-trolleys
Farmers argue that these requirements could lead to significant congestion in already crowded mandis and create unnecessary harassment for those trying to sell their produce. They warn that such bureaucratic hurdles could further complicate an already challenging agricultural season.
Fatehabad Farmers Join Protest Against Biometric Verification
In Fatehabad district, farmers gathered under the banner of the Kheti Bachao Kisan Union to protest specifically against the biometric verification norms linked to wheat procurement. The demonstration took place at the district headquarters, where police had closed one of the gates in anticipation of the gathering.
Farmers arrived from across the district using various modes of transportation, including tractor-trolleys and other vehicles. They staged a peaceful sit-in before submitting their memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Dr. Vivek Bharti.
Union state president Jarnail Singh Malwala explained the practical difficulties farmers face with the new biometric requirements. He noted that many agricultural workers, after years of manual labor, have fingerprints that are worn or difficult to scan, creating potential barriers to selling their produce in regulated markets. Malwala emphasized that these regulations would create unnecessary obstacles for farmers already struggling with weather-related crop losses.
The coordinated protests across two Haryana districts underscore the multifaceted challenges facing the agricultural sector, combining natural disasters with policy concerns that farmers believe could further complicate their livelihoods.
