Government is not taking the farmer’s movement seriously. The Deteriorating condition of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal and the increasing unrest among farmers is a warning signal for the Government. The farmers movement could escalate, Due to the Government’s neglect Kumari Selja
Chandigarh: The General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee, former Union Minister, and MP from Sirsa Kumari Selja has said that the central government is not taking the farmers movement and their demands seriously. The worsening health of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal and the rising anger among farmers serve as a warning sign for the government. There is still time for the government to find a way to negotiate with farmer organizations and resolve their issues. If a solution is not found soon, the scope of the farmers’ movement could expand across the country.
In a statement released to the media, Kumari Selja expressed concern over the health of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on a hunger strike at the Khanauri border. Despite his deteriorating condition, the government is ignoring the movement and not taking it seriously. In the past one and a half months, three farmers have lost their lives in this movement, which is a direct warning to the central government. Farmers are determined that if anything happens to Dallewal, the situation will spiral out of control.
It is high time for the government to listen to the farmer’s demands and address them seriously. If the movement becomes more violent due to the government’s obstinacy, it will cause distress to the common people. To put pressure on the government, farmers are organizing small-scale protests to wake the government from its slumber. The government must acknowledge that providing legal guarantees for MSP (Minimum Support Price) will secure their future.
Kumari Selja said that farmers are demanding legal guarantees for MSP, the waiver of agricultural loans for small and marginal farmers, and pension schemes for small farmers and landless labourers. The government has not even made an effort to open dialogue with the farmers. Kumari Selja said that the government does not need intermediaries to engage with the farmers it can directly resolve their issues. The government must not attempt to sideline the farmers issues. Kumari Selja asserted that every problem can be resolved through dialogue, yet the government is shying away from engaging with the farmers.
Selja said, the Government should promptly compensate farmers for crop damage. She said that the significant damage caused to crops in various parts of the state due to hailstorms. Previously, hailstorms had heavily damaged crops in districts like Fatehabad. The government must quickly compensate farmers for the damaged crops. Hailstorms and rain have caused extensive harm to standing crops of wheat, mustard, and vegetables. A special girdawari (crop damage assessment) should be conducted immediately. Kumari Selja has said that the BJP government for entangling farmers in the complexities of its compensation portal, resulting in either delayed or denied compensation. She urged the government to simplify the compensation process to ensure timely assistance for farmers.
