|
Claiming that the Uttar Pradesh government was pro-farmer, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that his regime was committed to protecting the farm sector and would not initiate any step detrimental to the farmers community.
During his interaction with a delegation of farmer leaders led by Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) chief Rakesh Tikait in Lucknow on Wednesday, Yogi allayed their fears, saying that the system of Minimum Support Price (MSP) would not cease to exist.
“With the introduction of reforms in the farm sector, farmers now stand to benefit. They can either sell their produce on MSP or at higher prices in the market, whichever suits them,” he said.
The chief minister also announced that the new cane crushing season would commence from October 15 in western UP and from October 25 in the rest of the state. He directed officials to ensure that all farmers’ dues were cleared by sugar mills by then.
Yogi said that over 3,000 paddy purchase centres had been set up across the state though there were just 825 blocks.
“If farmers want more purchase centres these could be opened,” he said.
When the delegation raised the issue of more facilities in mandis, the chief minister said that his government was open to suggestions and ready to do whatever was required for benefiting the farmers.
The meeting, which lasted for around 45 minutes at the chief minister’s official residence, also discussed in detail the farmers’ problems.
Notwithstanding the chief minister’s assurances, several farmers’ outfits have resolved to join the nation-wide protest on September 25.
After coming out of the meeting, BKU chief Rakesh Tikait told media persons that his organisation would be a part of the protest.
Claiming that the meeting with the chief minister was on different issues, Tikait said that his outfit supported the pan-India farmers’ agitation over the new farm bills passed in both Houses of Parliament.
Another farmers’ outfit in UP with significant hold in the Terai region, Kisan Sangh, also extended its support to the September 25 protest.