After the ultimatum to start paddy procurement on September 20 expired, farmers and activists affiliated with Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Charuni will lay siege to the Delhi-Chandigarh highway at Shahbad town in Kurukshetra on Tuesday.
I’ve appealed to all the office-bearers to engage directly with their workers over the phone and inform them about the protest. The government opened the Meri Fasal Mera Byora (MFMB) portal for pending registration, but there is no announcement for purchase yet. On a query regarding administration’s invitation for a meeting, Kurukshetra deputy commissioner (DC) Vishram Kumar Meena did not respond to calls or messages. Rana is also scheduled to meet his cabinet colleagues Rajesh Nagar and Vipul Goel in Chandigarh, along with concerned officials for a joint co-ordination meeting.
Union’s Yamunanagar president Sanju Gudiana said the farmers will start gathering near the statue of Shaheed Udham Singh around 10 am and then block the highway on both sides indefinitely. In a video message released, Charuni said, “The government intentionally delayed the purchase from September 20 and now we are also ready for a roadblock. After the meeting, Charuni announced a highway blockade on September 22, if the government fails to start the purchase on Sunday.
Sources said preparations were underway at the grain markets and other purchase centers in the state, for a smooth procurement process.
“Protests were held several times, but flaws were visible in both the intention and policy of the government. Since the crop is harvested with a combine and the farmers do not have such a system, they should dry it and bring it. The order should be withdrawn,” he added.
However, one of the official quoted above said, the non-registration of rice millers for the season, particularly in Karnal due to their pending issues with the state government, is likely to delay the process.
Gudiana, also member of the union’s core committee, said they have not yet received any formal invitation from the state government.
