UP Government Sets Up Panel To Address Farmers’ Grievances

The Uttar Pradesh government has initiated steps to address the persistent grievances of protesting farmers, announcing the formation of a high-level committee.

The committee has been tasked with submitting a detailed report within a month.

Abhishek Prakash, Secretary of the Industrial Development Department, issued the directive on Tuesday.

On the same day, over 100 protesters, including prominent farmer leaders, were detained in Gautam Buddh Nagar during demonstrations, according to Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh.

The farmers were demanding adequate compensation for land acquired earlier by the government. The police detained women and elderly participants and later released them.

The newly formed committee will focus on resolving complaints regarding land acquisition and compensation. It will also revisit government orders issued on 21 February and 27 August 2024, for additional review.

The panel comprises officials such as the Special Secretary Revenue, Additional Chief Executive Officer of UPEIDA, Deputy Secretary Industrial Development, and representatives from the affected district administration and local authorities. This team will engage with stakeholders and evaluate previous decisions to address the concerns effectively.

The aim is to create a viable strategy that resolves these grievances and ensures fair compensation for affected farmers.

The government views this step as pivotal in achieving a peaceful resolution to ongoing protests while addressing the farmers’ demands comprehensively.

The committee’s findings will play a key role in shaping future policies on land acquisition and compensation in the state.

Farmers Halted At Noida-Delhi Border; Warn Of Resuming March

Farmers from various districts of Uttar Pradesh had marched towards Delhi on Monday to press for their demands. The police stopped them at the Noida-Delhi border, where they staged a sit-in protest.

The protesters warned they would resume their march if authorities failed to meet their demands within seven days.

The march caused significant traffic disruptions at Delhi-Noida crossings, as police set up barricades and deployed heavy security in view of the Parliament’s Winter Session.

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of 12 farmer organizations, issued a statement saying they had decided to stay at Dalit Prerana Sthal after receiving assurances from officials that the Chief Secretary would meet them to discuss their demands.

However, the SKM emphasized they would continue addressing their demands through agitation until fully resolved.

It stated, “The Yogi Adityanath government has failed to ensure justice for the farmers. The BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government has not revised the land circle rate since 2017 and landowners have been denied adequate, lawful compensation and other benefits assured by the Land Acquisition Act, 2013.”

Farmers from 20 districts, including Aligarh and Agra, participated in the march, according to the Bharatiya Kisan Parishad.

Meanwhile, the SKM announced statewide protests against the ‘privatization of electricity’ on Wednesday.

The traffic disruptions due to the march and police checks affected commuters traveling through the Chilla border, DND flyway, Delhi Gate, and Kalindi Kunj for hours.

Separately, a group of farmers from Punjab, under the leadership of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), has planned another march towards Delhi on 6 December.

The group has stationed itself at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February.

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