CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Raipur. In Chhattisgarh’s capital Raipur on Tuesday, October 27, farmers marched to gherao the ministry over their various demands. Police stopped the protesters on the way.
The Chhattisgarh unit of the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh has placed ten key demands before the government, including increasing the support price for paddy, clearing pending payments, promoting cattle protection and addressing issues linked to mines.
A key demand of the farmers’ organisation is that the paddy procurement rate be increased from the current Rs 3,100 per quintal to Rs 3,358 per quintal. The organisation argues that farmers should receive the benefit of the total Rs 258 increase in the minimum support price over the past three years in the state’s procurement rate. It has also demanded the release of an alleged pending payment of Rs 1,700 crore linked to paddy procurement in 2022-23.
The farmers’ demands include implementing the Govardhan scheme for the protection and promotion of cattle, fixing the duration of paddy procurement and improving the token system. The organisation has also demanded a survey of flood-affected crops and compensation, completion of unfinished irrigation projects and a curb on black marketing of fertilisers.
Issues such as procurement of maize and wheat at support price, fair prices for agricultural produce and protection of farmers’ interests in matters related to land acquisition have also been raised.
The protest also voiced opposition over issues related to mines and land acquisition. The farmers’ organisation said that farmers’ interests and livelihoods should be taken into account during development projects. It demanded a clear policy and solutions from the government on these issues.
The farmers’ organisation had called the rally and ministry gherao to take its demands to the government. After police stopped the protesters, the situation regarding further action and talks with the administration will become clear on the basis of official information.
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