Farmer unions across Punjab have announced a ‘rail roko’ protest on April 17 demanding the immediate start of wheat procurement in the state and several farmer organisations including groups under the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have jointly taken this decision and along with this support has also come from organisations linked to the Azad Kisan Morcha.
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said the protest is being planned because procurement agencies have reportedly not started lifting wheat from mandis (grain markets) and according to farmer unions many farmers are facing problems selling their crop. Due to recent rain a large portion of wheat has been damaged or shrivelled and is not meeting the official quality standards and as a result the crop is lying unsold in mandis.
Farmers have alleged that they are being forced to sell their produce at lower prices and that traders are taking advantage of the situation and also expressed anger over past losses due to floods claiming that they received little support or compensation at that time. The unions have warned that if procurement does not begin immediately with some relaxation in quality norms they will block railway tracks across Punjab from 12 pm to 3 pm on April 17.
Farmers have also raised concerns about poor arrangements in mandis including a lack of gunny bags and basic facilities like washrooms and proper shade and said the decision to call for a rail blockade has been taken as a last option as farmers cannot afford to let their crops go to waste.
The unions have urged both the central and Punjab governments to ensure that wheat procurement starts without delay and that farmers get the full Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their produce and also warned that the protest could become more intense if their demands are not met.