Thousands of farmers across Punjab will march to the Raj Bhavan in Chandigarh on May 15, pressing for their long-pending demands. The protest has been called under the banner of Sanyukt Kissan Morcha.
Giving information about the forthcoming rally during a monthly meeting, Bhartiya Kissan Union (Lakhowal) President Harinder Singh Lakhowal said the rally will be held at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nature Park opposite YPS School in Mohali, from where farmers will walk towards Raj Bhawan in Chandigarh.
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“All governments till now have ignored Punjab’s rights and progress. Punjab has always faced injustice, which continues even today,” said Lakhowal.
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Parminder Singh Palmajra and Parshotam Singh Gill highlighted the urgent need for strengthening cooperative banks to ensure timely crop loans for farmers. They emphasised that government subsidies and debt relief programmes must reach cultivators without delay, as many are struggling under the burden of loans.
They also demanded 8 hours of uninterrupted power supply to farmers so that they can prepare a nursery of paddy.
They noted that cooperative institutions play a vital role in rural credit, yet farmers often face hurdles in accessing funds.
Lakhowal said the protest would be peaceful but determined. “Punjab’s farmers cannot wait any longer. The government must act to safeguard its interests,” he asserted.
The demands also include the complete transfer of Panjab University and Chandigarh city to the state government. The farmers also seek amendments to the Bhakra Beas Management Board rules, along with the issuance of an official notification.
Additionally, the farmers demand that the river water dispute be resolved on the basis of the riparian basin principle. The farmers have also called for strict action to stop industrial waste and sewage from polluting rivers, canals and lakes