Chandigarh, 26 October, 2024: In the wake of major protest by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) that left thousands stranded, farmer unions aligned with the SKM (Non-Political) have announced plans to block highways throughout Punjab for four hours, beginning at 1 PM. This action is in response to ongoing delays in paddy procurement.
“Both the state and central governments are engaged in a blame game while farmers continue to suffer in the mandis,” stated farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher. He criticized former Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh’s recent visit to the grain market in Khanna, arguing that instead of politicizing the issue, Singh should facilitate talks with the central government to expedite a resolution.
Pandher raised the urgent need for action, noting that a central team promised to investigate the high breakage rates of the PR-126 hybrid rice has yet to arrive. “It has been nearly a week, and millers are unwilling to lift the crop,” he lamented.
The ongoing procurement crisis threatens to have severe repercussions for Punjab’s economy, according to Pandher. “The agriculture sector contributes approximately Rs 1.5 lakh crore to the Punjab economy. Local businesses, labor, and industry will all suffer if farmers do not receive a fair price for their produce,” he warned.
As part of the protest, the following highways will be blocked:
Amritsar-Delhi Highway at Phagwara, Kapurthala district
Sangrur-Bathinda Highway at Badrukhan, Sangrur
Moga-Ferozepur Highway at Dagru, Moga
Gurdaspur Tanda Highway at Satiali Phul, Gurdaspur
Batala Railway Station, Batala
