Samrala, Ludhiana: In a novel protest against the recent hike in fuel prices, farmers in Ludhiana deposited the keys to their tractors to the administration, claiming they cannot drive them anymore due to skyrocketing diesel prices.
Hundreds of farmers took to roads in the town of Samrala in Punjab’s Ludhiana, driving up in tractors and handing over their keys to city officials.
“We can’t afford to fill out tractor fuel tanks and have handed over our keys to the administration,” a farmer said.
“When the government needed farmers, it gave the slogan Jai Jawan Jai kisan but now we are dying but the government is paying no heed,” the protesting farmers said during the march, which had been organised by Bharti Kisan Union Rajewal.
Diesel prices have risen by Rs 3 recently.
While a litre of diesel would cost between 60-65 paise in 1966-67, prices have now touched a record Rs 70 per litre. The figures represent an almost 150 per cent hike. In comparison, the prices of wheat and paddy have increased only by 23-25 per cent.
“On one hand, the fuel prices are increasing and on the other we are not getting proper power supply for paddy. Because of lack of power supply farmers are forced to use diesel gensets which is burning a hole in our pockets,” one of the protesting farmers told News18.
The farmers also submitted a memorandum with the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Ludhiana. However, the SDM refused to take the farmers’ tractor keys, agreeing instead to receive the memorandum of demands raised by the farmers.
Farmers said they are going on leave from June 1-10 during which they will not supply vegetables, foodgrain, milk etc.
“Whoever wants these things can buy directly from the farmers at the price they ask for,” the protesters said.
Comments
0 comment