No other option: Farmers warn of stir against ‘red entry’ action

Patiala: Farmers have warned the state govt against any action for burning paddy straw, maintaining that they have no other option.
BKU (Ekta-Dakaunda) has called for an emergency meeting on Sept 27 and 28 to discuss the issue of issuance of administrative orders of marking red entries in land record of farmers or non-renewal of their arms licences for burning stubble.The union claimed it would hold a joint protest with others.
BKU (Ekta-Dakaunda) general secretary Jagmohan Singh Patiala said, “Farmers across Punjab have no other option but to burn stubble. They have repeatedly urged the govt for a bonus of around Rs 5,000 an acre. Crop diversification can resolve both issues, of stubble burning and water depletion. But the crops sown through diversification must have assured prices and guaranteed procurement. The price should be fair. Does the govt intend to tell future generations that after we filled the central food stock for 40 years, our land and property were marked with red entry as a ‘reward’ by the govt?”
He said: “The decision not to renew weapons licences or issue new ones is inhumane because this matter is linked to the self-defence of farmers.” Patiala deputy commissioner Preeti Yadav confirmed that timely provisions for CRM machinery had been made.