Punjab: Farmers Stage 'Rail Roko' Protest In Gurdaspur, Seek Compensation For Crop Loss Due To Rains

Punjab Farmer Protest: KMSC staged a rail roko protest today at the Batala railway station in Punjab's Gurdaspur over several demands. Farmers set up tents and squatted on the rail tracks.

The Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) protests in Batala, Gurdaspur, against the Central and state governments over crop destruction in Punjab caused by heavy rain and hailstorm. ( Image Source :ANI )

Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) staged a rail roko protest on Sunday (April 2) at the Batala railway station in Punjab's Gurdaspur over a number of demands, including fair compensation for land acquired for road projects and crop loss due to inclement weather. Farmers set up tents and squatted on the rail tracks near the railway station.

KMSC general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher said that they are seeking fair compensation for land acquired for road projects.

"We are holding this protest as rain and hailstorms have destroyed our crops. We have some demands. And we want the government to immediately send a team to do an inspection and listen to our demands as soon as possible:" Pandher was quoted as saying by the news agency ANI. 

We are holding this protest as rain and hailstorms have destroyed our crops. We have some demands. And we want government to immediately send a team to do an inspection and listen to our demands as soon as possible: Sarwan Singh Pandher, Gen Secy KMSC pic.twitter.com/c75EaWgsbH

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2023

Pandher sought Rs 50,000 per acre in compensation for extensive crop damage caused by untimely rains and hailstorms in the state. He also requested that the rules governing the procurement of wheat for the central pool be relaxed, PTI reported. 

In many areas of Punjab, untimely rains, hailstorms, and high-velocity winds harmed wheat and other crops. The state government announced a 25 per cent increase in crop loss compensation.

Crops have been damaged by inclement weather, and farmers should be compensated at least Rs 50,000 per acre for total crop loss, according to Pandher.

To provide relief to farmers, he demanded that the state government waive interest on farm loans and defer installments for six months.

The state should expedite the process of special 'girdawari' (revenue survey) for crop loss assessment and ensure farmers are compensated as soon as possible, he added.