Jalandhar: Leaders of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) will block main roads today (Friday) in protest against the slow procurement of paddy in Punjab. The farmers’ organization says that despite repeated demands and assurances from the government, there has been no improvement in the paddy procurement work. Farmers will close the main roads around the mandis across the state for four hours from 11 am to 3 pm today.
SKM leader Raminder Singh Patiala said yesterday that the decision to block the roads was taken on October 19. It was said that if the state government fails to ensure smooth procurement of paddy in four days, then a big decision will be taken.
Raminder Patiala said that if the problem is not resolved, then all the DC offices of the state will be surrounded from 11 am to 3 pm on October 29. Apart from this, black flags will be shown to the ministers, MLAs, and officials of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government when they go to the grain markets.
Apart from SKM, other organizations of farmers have also turned against the government regarding paddy procurement. Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Samiti leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced that highways will be blocked in the Majha-Malwa-Doaba region on 26 October. This movement will start at 1 pm on 26 October and will continue for an indefinite period until the demands are met. This movement will be on the issue of FIRs registered for stubble burning against farmers, slow paddy procurement and availability of DAP fertilizer.