Hundreds of farmers under the Bharti Kisan Union-Ekta-Ugrahan and Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union called off their six-day protest in Chandigarh on Friday. The decision came after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann assured them that their demands would be met by September 30.
CM Promises Policy and Loan Relief
Chief Minister Mann assured the farmers that the government is working on a new agriculture policy and considering a scheme to waive farm loans. Mann stated that the draft of the Punjab Agriculture Policy is nearly complete and will be shared with farmers by the end of September for their input.
The government is also planning a one-time settlement (OTS) scheme to relieve debt-burdened farmers who owe loans to cooperative banks. Mann emphasized that the government is committed to making agriculture more profitable and addressing the ongoing agrarian crisis.
Farmers Await Policy Finalization
BKU-Ugrahan President Joginder Singh Ugrahan said they will review the policy once they receive it by September 30. The farmers plan to hold a large meeting after reviewing the policy to decide their next steps. Until then, they have decided to end their protest in Chandigarh.
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