SKM Holds Statewide Agitation in Punjab, Pressing for Farmer Demands
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) organized coordinated protests at district headquarters throughout Punjab on Monday, intensifying pressure on both the central and state governments to address the deepening agrarian crisis. The farmers' collective is demanding immediate action on a comprehensive list of issues, including debt relief, assured irrigation, a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP), and compensation for recent crop losses.
Core Demands of the Protest Movement
As part of its statewide agitation, the SKM has put forth a series of critical demands aimed at alleviating farmer distress. These include:
- A complete waiver of farm and labor debt to provide financial relief to struggling agricultural communities.
- Ensuring canal water reaches every farm to address irrigation shortages and reduce dependency on groundwater.
- Providing clean drinking water to every household in rural areas.
- Resolving Punjab's water issues based on the riparian principle, which asserts that states have rights to water from rivers flowing through their territory.
Compensation for Crop Damage and Procurement Concerns
During the protests, farmer leaders specifically demanded compensation of Rs 50,000 per acre for crops damaged by recent unseasonal rain and hailstorms. They also called for immediate steps to ensure smooth wheat procurement in mandis (agricultural markets), highlighting concerns about delays and inefficiencies in the current system.
Addressing the Agrarian Crisis and Government Failures
Addressing gatherings at protest sites, SKM leaders pointed to the recent suicide of two brothers in Faridkot as a tragic indicator of the severity of the agrarian crisis. They accused both the central government and the Punjab state government of failing to protect farmers' interests and adequately address their plight.
The leaders emphasized that Punjab's groundwater crisis is worsening, contradicting the state government's claim of over 70% canal water coverage. They argued that the ground reality is far different, with many farmers still lacking reliable access to irrigation water.
Additional Policy Demands and Legislative Changes
The Morcha also demanded the repeal of what it termed discriminatory provisions in the Punjab Reorganisation Act related to river water sharing. Among other significant demands, the SKM sought:
- Scrapping of the proposed India-US free trade agreement, which farmers fear could negatively impact agricultural markets.
- Repeal of the electricity and seed bills that farmers believe could increase costs and reduce autonomy.
- Implementation of a profitable and environment-friendly farm policy that ensures sustainable agriculture and fair returns for farmers.
The protests underscore the ongoing tensions between farming communities and government authorities in Punjab, with the SKM vowing to continue its agitation until concrete measures are taken to address their concerns.
