Punjab farmer unions seek compensation, lifting of wheat export ban
India Today
Farmers are seeking Rs 500 a quintal as compensation for the loss to wheat crop in the rabi season.
A worldwide surge in the wheat demand has prompted Punjab farmer unions and leaders to seek the lifting of the export ban. Hundreds of farmers from various parts of Punjab gathered at the Chandigarh-Punjab border on Tuesday to protest against the state and the Centre.
Farmers are seeking Rs 500 a quintal as compensation for the loss to wheat crop in the rabi season due to the sudden increase in temperature in March, when crop was at its maturing stage.
Speaking to India Today, Jagjit Singh Dallewalwhike questioned the wheat export ban and said it was an attempt to "ruin the farmers".
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"Export ban is an attempt to ruin the farmers. If we can import foodgrains then why can't we export? The decision is shocking. We demand a compensation of Rs 500 per quintal wheat," he said.
Although 23 different farmer unions were participating in the protest, larger farmer unions like BKU Ekta Ugraha and BKU Rajewal stayed out of it.
Another farmer leader Baldev Singh Sirsa, alleged that the move was a conspiracy against the farmers. The ban has been imposed to benefit corporates. This is a conspiracy against the farmers and the vested interests do not want the farmers to get uplifted, he said.
