Monday, 12 February 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) will organise a protest at the Niranjanpur Mandi on February 19 against the failure of brokers to pay the dues of the farmers in the State. Providing the information, BKU head Somdutt Sharma stated that the amount which is yet to be paid to the farmers of Uttarkashi is Rs 1.5 crore. The brokers of the Mandi have been delaying the clearing of these dues for about two years which has had a considerable financial impact on the farmers, he said.
He further stated that in accordance with the warning issued earlier by the BKU, if the brokers fail to settle their outstanding debts by February 5, the BKU will initiate protests and lock the gates of the Mandi on February 6. However, due to the Vidhan Sabha session which was underway at the time, they limited their previous protest to two hours on the request made by the local police. Sharma said that they were assured by the officials that the issue would be resolved by February 10, but so far no progress has been made in the favour of the farmers. Taking this into consideration, the BKU is planning to block the entrance of the Mandi and continue its protest till the brokers fulfill their obligations to the farmers. The BKU will also invite farmers from other States to join them in the Mandi protest, he added.
It is pertinent to mention here that the farmers allege that brokers in the Mandi have been irregular in settling their dues for some years. The farmers state that they are facing problems in cultivating crops due to lack of funds.
