Farmer unions across Punjab have announced a statewide “rail rook” protest for April 17, demanding an immediate start of wheat procurement. The agitation comes as forecasts of two mild western disturbances — one on April 17 and another between April 18 and 19 — have intensified farmers’ concerns over crop damage.
It is pertinent to mention that rain-affected, shrivelled grains are failing the quality norms for procurement, leaving farmers unable to sell their produce.
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Farmers, who will hold the protest from 12 pm to 3 pm, alleged that despite a central team visiting Punjab to assess damage caused due to untimely rains, no report has been submitted yet to facilitate compensation for nearly 1.3 lakh acres of damaged wheat or relax quality specifications.
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They also complained of shortage of gunny bags, lack of washrooms and waiting areas at mandis, even as wheat continues to arrive.
The protest call has been given jointly by organisations under the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM-Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, with support from the Azad Kisan Morcha.
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, convener of the 2024–25 Shambhu Board Morcha, said the blockade was a compulsion as farmers could not afford to let their crop go to waste. He demanded adequate arrangements at mandis and urged both the Centre and the Punjab Government to ensure procurement at full MSP without delay.
Farmer leader Manjeet Singh Dhaner expressed resentment over the Centre and state government’s alleged lack of urgency for timely procurement. “Wheat is lying unsold in mandis, and traders are exploiting farmers by forcing price cuts and to add to our woes the meteorological has predicted rain,” he said