New Agriculture Policy, launching a One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme for outstanding debts, reviewing legal cases against farmer leaders — were among the major decisions the Punjab Government arrived at on Thursday following the hours-long meeting with the farmers, who have been protesting in Chandigarh for the past four days. The sweeping decisions are aimed at addressing long-standing grievances and providing much-needed relief to the state’s beleaguered farmers.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann spearheaded the meeting, which brought together key stakeholders, including the representatives of farmer unions, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, PWD Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO, state DGP Gaurav Yadav, among others. The discussions resulted in a series of pivotal actions designed to tackle the challenges plaguing Punjab’s agricultural sector.
The centerpiece of the meeting was the draft of the new Agriculture Policy. The State Government committed to sharing this draft with farmers and relevant departments by the end of September. The move will allow for a thorough review and incorporation of feedback from those directly affected by agricultural policies. The aim is to create a policy that genuinely addresses the needs of the farming community and fosters a more sustainable agricultural environment.
In a significant move to alleviate the financial strain on farmers, the Punjab Government also announced the introduction of a One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme for outstanding debts owed to cooperative banks. The initiative is expected to provide critical relief to many farmers who have struggled with debt, offering a path to financial stability and easing the burden of repayment. The OTS scheme is seen as a crucial step in addressing the ongoing agrarian crisis and supporting the state’s agricultural sector.
The meeting also focused on the legal challenges faced by farmer leaders who have been involved in protests. Chief Minister Mann directed the officials concerned to explore options for withdrawing cases against these leaders, aiming to resolve legal disputes and reduce tensions within the farming community. The move is intended to demonstrate the government’s willingness to address the concerns of farmers and foster a more amicable resolution to ongoing conflicts.
In addition to these measures, the Punjab Government pledged to re-evaluate rejected compensation claims related to farmer suicides and address issues related to land encroachment on plots designated for distribution. The Chief Minister has set a timeline of three to six months to clear these encroachments and make the five marla plots available to deserving individuals.
Environmental concerns, including groundwater depletion, water pollution, and the condition of Buddha Nullah, were also discussed. The government assured that it is committed to addressing these issues to ensure sustainable farming and protect the livelihoods of farmers.
The meeting was conducted in a constructive and cooperative atmosphere, reflecting a shared commitment to resolving the issues facing Punjab’s farmers. The Chief Minister’s assurances coupled with the proposed reforms, marking a significant shift in the state’s approach to agricultural support and economic relief, came after four days of intense negotiations with farmers over eight critical issues.
The Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) and the Khet Mazdoor Union have jointly organized a pakka morcha at Chandigarh’s Sector 34. Farmers initially planned a march to the Punjab Assembly but ultimately staged a protest at Matka Chowk, where their demands were presented to the state Agriculture Minister, who assured them that their concerns would be addressed and relayed to Chief Minister Mann.
