INLD to launch campaign for redressal of farmers' issues

A day after holding a protest over the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue, Haryana's main opposition party, the INLD, today announced to launch a state-wide 'Jana Jagran' campaign to seek redressal of farmers' issues.
The party will also highlight the alleged failures of the Manohar Lal Khattar government to improve the condition of "distressed" tillers during the campaign.
Yesterday, INLD workers blocked the entry of vehicles coming from Punjab to Haryana at several places to press their demand for the early completion of the canal.
The SYL canal is "intrinsically" linked to the well being of the farmers and the INLD is committed to continue its struggle "till the time water begins into Haryana through it", party general secretary Abhay Singh Chautala told reporters here.

The party will launch the 'Jana Jagran' campaign soon and it will conclude on September 25, the birthday of INLD's founder Chaudhary Devi Lal, he said.
"We will be raising the issue of farmers through this campaign and will also go to people to make them aware of the failures of the BJP government (in Haryana) in implementing its poll promises," the leader of opposition said.

High on the agenda, will be seeking waiver of farm loans and the fixing of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) as per recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission report, the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader said.

"The party will also expose the state government for acting as an agent of private insurance companies by extracting huge sums of premium from tillers under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
"Under the Yojana, insurance companies have collected premiums to the tune of Rs 17,000 crore while farmers were paid Rs 6,000 crore as compensation during last six months. As a result, these companies were hugely benefited," Chautala alleged.
He also sought an exemption of the Goods and Sersvices Tax on agricultural tools, implements, fertilizers and tractors.
Chautala accused Khattar for "inviting" former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda to discuss the SYL issue while ignoring him to be part of the discussion, even through he was the leader of opposition.