Farmers return to streets; add to govt woes

Moga: Farmers and farm workers have carried out a protest march on the Moga-Ferozepur national highway, later staging demonstration in front of Agriculture Minister Tota Singh's residence in support of their demands. Sukhdev Singh Kokri, general secretary of the BKU, demanded a relief of Rs 40,000 per acre to farmers whose crop as been damaged by the whitefly attack, Rs 20,000 per family compensation for farm workers, Rs 4,500 per quintal for basmati Pusa- 1509 variety, and Rs 5,000 per quintal for basmati Pusa-1121 variety. He also sought the release of payment to sugarcane farmers by private mills, debt relief and Rs 500,000 financial assistance to next of kin, of the farmers who committed suicide. Kokri has alleged that both the Chief Minister, and Tota Singh had not pleaded the case of farmers before Prime Minister Narendra Modi, due to which the centre has not released adequate funds.