Farmers block highway over delay in lifting paddy
Thursday, 11/10/2012
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20121011/punjab.htm#6
Muktsar : Despite Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s directions for a speedy lifting of paddy from grain markets across the state, the officials concerned seen to be least bothered even in his home district Muktsar.
A large number of farmers blocked the Malout-Abohar national highway at Kabarwala village today in protest against a delay in the lifting of their produce.
The farmers alleged officials of the government agencies had not yet started the purchase of paddy citing one reason or the other.
The farmers along with their families today came out on the highway to lodge their protest and blocked the road for nearly an hour.
Manjeet Singh, an agitating farmer, said: “As many as 10 days have passed since the procurement of paddy officially started in the state. But the officials have not yet initiated the process in our village”.
The blockade led to a huge traffic jam. Though Naib Tehsildar Lakhwinder Singh reached the spot to pacify the protesters, the farmers did not relent.
It was only after the Naib Tehsildar announced the start of paddy procurement the farmers gave up their protest.
