National Kisan Union president Gurnam Singh Chaduni-led farmer representatives meet Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana at his residence in Radaur.
Farmers seek higher sugarcane prices, paddy procurement from September 15, withdrawal of cases and release of pending Bhavantar Bharpai payments
PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK RADAUR:
A delegation of farmer representatives led by National Kisan Union president Gurnam Singh Chaduni met Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Minister Shyam Singh Rana at his residence in Radaur and submitted a memorandum highlighting various demands and problems concerning the farming community.
During the meeting, the farmer representatives raised several issues related to agriculture and sought timely intervention from the state government. Among their key demands were an increase in the sugarcane price, commencement of paddy procurement from September 15, withdrawal of cases registered against farmers and early release of pending payments under the Bhavantar Bharpai scheme.
The delegation discussed the demands in detail with the Agriculture Minister and sought appropriate action to address the concerns of farmers. The representatives said timely decisions on issues connected with crop prices, procurement and pending government payments are important for farmers, particularly during the crop season.
Minister Shyam Singh Rana listened seriously to the demands placed before him by the farmer representatives and said the state government was continuously working in the interest of farmers. He said resolving farmers’ problems remains among the government’s priorities and assured the delegation that their concerns would be taken up at the appropriate level.
Rana said farmers are an important link in the economy of both the country and the state and that their interests cannot be ignored. He said the government recognises the importance of agriculture and the contribution of farmers to the wider economic system.
Responding to the memorandum, the Agriculture Minister said the demands raised by the Kisan Union would be discussed with Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. He said efforts would be made to find solutions to the issues in accordance with applicable rules and procedures.
Rana said demands that can be addressed at the government level would be considered positively. He assured the farmer representatives that their memorandum and the issues raised during the meeting would be taken up with the concerned authorities.
The meeting provided an opportunity for direct dialogue between farmer representatives and the state government. The Agriculture Minister emphasised that regular communication with farmers is necessary for understanding their concerns and finding practical solutions.
The demand for an increase in the sugarcane price was among the major issues raised by the delegation. Sugarcane growers have a direct interest in the price announced for their crop, and the farmer representatives sought government consideration of their demand.
Another significant demand concerned the commencement of paddy procurement from September 15. With the paddy season underway, the farmers urged the government to begin procurement from the date sought by them so that growers can bring their produce to the markets and sell it through the procurement system.
The delegation also raised the issue of cases registered against farmers and demanded their withdrawal. The representatives sought relief in such matters and urged the government to take appropriate steps after examining the cases according to the applicable procedure.
The pending amount under the Bhavantar Bharpai scheme was another key concern. Farmer representatives requested that outstanding payments under the scheme be released at the earliest. They said timely payment is important for farmers who depend on crop-related income to meet their financial obligations and prepare for subsequent agricultural activities.
Rana told the delegation that the government is committed to resolving farmers’ problems through dialogue. He said the administration would continue to engage with farmers and consider their concerns within the framework of government policy and applicable rules.
The minister said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, the Haryana government was taking steps to provide better facilities to farmers, make agriculture more economically viable and increase farmers’ income.
He assured the representatives that the issues raised in the memorandum would be taken up strongly before the government. Rana said he would make efforts to ensure that farmers’ problems are resolved at the earliest and that they do not face unnecessary difficulties.
The Agriculture Minister reiterated that protecting farmers’ interests and ensuring the resolution of their genuine problems remain important priorities for the government. He also emphasised the need for continued dialogue between farmer organisations and the administration.
The meeting was significant as it brought together representatives of the farmer community and the Agriculture Minister at a time when farmers are raising concerns related to crop procurement, prices and government payments.
The delegation’s memorandum covered multiple issues affecting farmers, ranging from crop pricing and procurement schedules to pending financial assistance and legal matters. The representatives sought concrete action and timely decisions from the government.
The Agriculture Minister’s assurance that the demands would be discussed with the Chief Minister is expected to provide a channel for further consideration of the issues. He made it clear that demands falling within the government’s authority would be examined positively and addressed in accordance with the prescribed process.
Rana also reiterated that the government wants to maintain a constructive dialogue with farmers rather than allow grievances to remain unresolved. Direct interaction, he said, can help authorities understand concerns at the ground level and work towards appropriate solutions.
The delegation was led by Gurnam Singh Chaduni, while several local BJP leaders and officials were also present during the meeting. Market Committee Chairman Rupinder Singh, Radaur Mandal BJP president Krishan Kamboj, senior BJP leader Gopal Krishna and Sunil Kamboj, along with other senior BJP leaders and workers, attended the interaction.
Officials from the police administration were also present on the occasion.
The meeting concluded with the Agriculture Minister reiterating his commitment to taking up farmers’ concerns with the state government. He assured the representatives that the memorandum would receive due consideration and that efforts would be made to resolve the issues through the appropriate government mechanism.
The interaction underlined the importance of dialogue between farmer organisations and policymakers, particularly on issues directly affecting agricultural income and crop marketing. The demands placed before the minister now await consideration at the relevant government levels.
For farmers, the issues raised during the meeting remain closely linked with the ongoing agricultural cycle. The demand for an early paddy procurement schedule, higher sugarcane prices and release of pending Bhavantar Bharpai payments concerns the financial aspects of farming, while the demand for withdrawal of cases relates to the legal difficulties faced by some members of the farming community.
Rana reiterated that the state government would continue working to provide better facilities to farmers and strengthen agriculture. He said his effort would be to ensure that genuine farmer concerns are placed before the government and that appropriate steps are taken as per the rules.
The meeting between the Gurnam Singh Chaduni-led delegation and Shyam Singh Rana therefore focused on several significant farmer-related demands, with the Agriculture Minister assuring representatives that their concerns would be taken up with the Chief Minister and the concerned authorities for further consideration.
