Apple Growers (Seb Utpadak Sangh) to stage tractor rally in Himachal Pradesh on Republic day
Shinla, Jan 23
Responding to the nationwide call from Sanyukat Kissan Munch (SKM), the Himachal Pradesh Seb Utpaadak Sangh (Apple Growers Association) has announced plans for a tractor rally in Shimla and Kullu districts of Himachal Pradesh on January 26, 2024.
National Convenor of Seb Utpaadak Sangh, Sohan Thakur, addressed a press conference at Combermere, expressing disappointment over the Modi government’s failure to fulfill promises made to farmers over the past three years. Thakur stated that the historic agreement reached with the central government during the SKM movement has been consistently overlooked, prompting apple growers and farmers nationwide to organize tractor and motor rallies to draw attention to their concerns.
Thakur emphasized the pending release of Rs 40 crore for the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) in 2022 and Rs 93 crore in 2023. He criticized the Union government for allocating only Rs one lakh as token money for 2023-24 and Rs four crore in 2022-23, leading to the blame game between the State and Modi government.
Highlighting the repeal of three agricultural laws under farmer pressure, Thakur expressed concern about their potential covert implementation. He underscored the nationwide farmers’ decision to remind the government about unimplemented agreements with farmer organizations.
The Sanyukt Kisan Manch rally is scheduled to commence from Narkanda in Shimla at 1100 hrs, concluding at the Shimla Secretariat at 1500 hrs. Additionally, the Apple Growers Association, in collaboration with other farmers’ organizations, will participate in the Janata Mein Janata Jagran Abhiyaan, addressing concerns about overlooked agreements.
Thakur criticized the current pro-corporate policies of the central government, highlighting their impact on livelihoods, fundamental rights, and agricultural income. He pointed out the escalating costs of pesticides and fertilizers due to subsidy withdrawal and non-remunerative market prices, making agriculture economically unviable.
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