Farmers in Punjab have called off their protest following an assurance from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann regarding the state’s new agriculture policy. The protest, which began on Sunday, was driven by concerns over delays in the policy's implementation.
On Thursday, Mann met with leaders from the Bharti Kisan Union (Ugrahan) and the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union, who were spearheading the protest.
The Chief Minister assured that a draft of the new agriculture policy would be shared with the farmers by September 30. He also committed to incorporating their suggestions before finalising the policy.
The protest leaders, including Bharti Kisan Union (Ugrahan) president Joginder Singh Ugrahan, had demanded that the state government publicise the draft policy.
They were informed that the policy draft, a substantial 1,600 pages long, would be made available by the end of the month.
Ugrahan noted that once they receive the draft, they will review it thoroughly and convene a meeting to decide on further actions if necessary. In the meantime, the protest in Chandigarh was scheduled to end at 2 pm on Friday.
In addition to the policy, the farmers’ demands included the promotion of chemical-free crops, compensation for families of farmers who committed suicide, and measures to address the drug problem in the state.
Mann reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing these issues and making agriculture more profitable for farmers.
The resolution of the protest marks a significant step towards addressing the concerns of Punjab’s farming community and improving the dialogue between the state government and the agricultural sector.
Follow us
