The indefinite protest by farm organisation BKU Ekta Sidhupur at the branches of Punjab State Cooperative Agricultural Development Bank (PADB) in various districts continued for the sixth day on Saturday. The farm organisation is against the policy of banks retaining blank cheques from farmers upon advancing loans and presenting these cheques in banks upon farmers failing to timely repay the loan amounts, leading to litigations.
Protest Background
The organisation had started the protest on May 11. BKU Ekta Sidhupur general secretary Kaka Singh Kotda and senior leader Resham Singh Yatra said that banks need to shun this practice, as it is used to harass farmers who fail to repay on time. They cited the example of two brothers, Jaskaran Singh and Jaswinder Singh, who died by suicide due to financial hardship caused by such practices. "The brothers paid some of the loan amount, but as they failed to repay the entire loan, they feared action from the bank," said one activist.
Demands of the Protesters
The farm organisation demands that banks immediately stop the practice of taking blank cheques from farmers. They argue that this practice puts undue pressure on farmers and leads to severe consequences, including mental stress and even suicide. The protesters have been sitting outside PADB branches across several districts, demanding a policy change.
The protest has drawn attention to the broader issue of farmer distress in Punjab, with many supporting the organisation's call for fair banking practices. The BKU Ekta Sidhupur leaders have warned of intensifying the agitation if their demands are not met by the bank authorities.
