Bhartiya Kisan Union demands withdrawal of new land law; threatens to strike

MATHURA: Bhartiya Kisan Union today threatened to launch an indefinite dharna in Delhi from March 18 if the proposed "anti-farmer" Land Acquisition Bill is not withdrawn by the Union Government.

"We will launch an indefinite dharna at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and demand the withdrawal of the proposed anti-farmer law by the government," Chaudhary Buddha Singh, District President of Bhartiya Kisan Union said.

"We will carry sufficient amounts of flour, potatoes and other vegetables for the protest.

While earlier the major part of the law demanded a mandatory agreement from the farmer, the present one denies them the right, Singh said.

"It has been done to benefit the industrialists," Singh said while speaking to media persons at a joint press conference of BKU officials.

Village-level committees have been formed to mobilize support for the dharna.

Raising concerns over land being the sole source of a farmer's livelihood, he said: "How will his family survive in absence of any source of income?" adding that the new law will leave the generations unemployed.

"In spite of only 6 to 8 hours of electric supply in the rural areas, farmers of Mathura have to pay Rs 3096 per month against Rs 1040 per month for the farmers of other areas," Singh said.

"The worst part of it is that not only do the farmers have to pay the bill of Tubewell for 12 months while they are using power for only eight months, but they also have to pay the power tarrif of disconnection period," District General Secretary of the union, Gajendra Singh Parihar said.

He also demanded compensation for the farmers in the wake of natural calamities like hailstorms, floods and fire.

"So far under the insurance scheme, a farmer is paid compensation only if the crop of an area is destroyed. Counting farmer as the smallest unit, he should be paid compensation," the leaders said.