Farmers to intensify stir in Punjab

Farmers' organisations in Punjab today decided to intensify their stir against the state government in support of their demands including Rs 40,000 per acre compensation for cotton growers, Rs 4,500 per quintal rate for basmati PUSA 1509 variety.
As part of their agitation, they announced blocking of train movements for two days on October 7 and 8.
Farmers said a meeting called by Punjab government officials led by Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal here turned out to be "inconclusive" as senior bureaucrats "failed" to give them any assurance to fulfill their demands.
Representatives of as many as eight farmer outfits including BKU Ekta (Dakunda), BKU Ekta (Ugrahan), BKU (Krantikari), Kirti Kisan Union, Jamhoori Kisan Sabha took part in the meeting with Punjab government officials here.

"The meeting with senior officials of Punjab government remained inconclusive," BKU Ekta (Ugrahan), General Secretary Sukhdev Singh Khokri said.
"Now we have decided to intensify our agitation against state government for its apathetic attitude towards problems of farmers. We will block rail traffic on October 7 and 8 in Punjab at several places," said Khokri.

Farmers have already been holding protest at Bathinda for last several days, demanding higher compensation for cotton growers.
They are demanding Rs 40,000 per acre compensation for farmers whose crop got damaged by white fly attack, Rs 20,000 per family compensation for farm labour, Rs 4,500 per quintal rate for basmati PUSA 1509 variety and Rs 5,000 per quintal for basmati PUSA 1121 variety.

Besides, they are also seeking payment of sugarcane dues by private mills, debt relief and Rs 5 lakh financial assistance to the family of farmers who committed suicide.