Kurukshetra: Haryana Kisan Mazdoor Morcha has set Sept 15 as the deadline for the state govt to start procurement of Parmal paddy at Minimum Support Price (MSP). The decision was taken at a state-level Kisan Mahapanchayat held at Pehowa grain market on Thursday, where 10 farmer organisations jointly pressed for procurement from Sept 15.Farmers warned that if procurement does not begin by the deadline and talks with govt fail to produce a concrete solution, Morcha would meet again to decide its next course of action.The nearly three-hour mahapanchayat discussed nine key demands concerning farmers and livestock rearers. A memorandum was submitted to Kurukshetra deputy commissioner (DC) Vishram Kumar Meena. Farmers had planned a protest march to SDM office, but dropped it after Pehowa SDM Rahul Kumar reached the mahapanchayat and assured them of administrative intervention. Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) also extended support.DC Meena said the farmers’ demands would be forwarded to the concerned departments and taken up with govt. He also said a meeting between farmer organisations and Managing Director of Vita would be arranged over the issue of milk prices, with Monday fixed for the meeting.The farmers demanded reopening of the Meri Fasal Mera Byora portal, citing technical problems and the deadline that prevented many from registering. They also sought an increase in the permissible paddy moisture limit from 17% to 20%, with Parmal paddy having up to 20% moisture procured at MSP without deductions.Other demands included timely govt procurement of Narma-cotton and procurement of the entire crop at MSP through Cotton Corporation of India (CCI).The farmers sought an increase in sugarcane prices to Rs 650 per quintal for the coming crushing season, citing rising input costs. They also demanded higher milk prices, action against adulterated and synthetic milk, and that Vita refrain from reducing milk procurement rates.They further sought procurement centres and sub-yards every five kilometres, saying existing mandis were inadequate to handle crop arrivals. They also demanded a 50% share for farmers in profits from trees planted by them along govt canals and roads.DC Meena said the demands would be forwarded to the concerned departments and taken up with the state govt. He said efforts would be made to arrange talks between govt and farmer representatives within two to three days. A meeting between farmer organisations and Vita MD on milk prices has been scheduled for Monday.The mahapanchayat was supported by BKU Pagri Sambhal Jatta, BKU Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Sardar Chhotu Ram, Bharatiya Kisan Ekta, BKU Pehowa, Rashtriya Mazdoor-Kisan Manch, BKU Charkhi Dadri, Kisan-Mazdoor Sangathan Haryana, Kisan Bhawan Panipat and Bharatiya Kisan Panchayat.Ends
