Dehradun: Farmers in Uttarakhand launched a protest march on Saturday to demand higher compensation for flood damage and a revised sugarcane price, reported PTI.
The protesters led by Congress leader Harish Rawat marched to the residence of Uttarakhand’s chief minister on Saturday for their several demands.
Rawat, who arrived at the protest’s starting point aboard a tractor laden with damaged sugarcane crops, led the march. However, the procession was halted at a police barricade at Hathibarkala Chowk. Unable to advance further, the demonstrators staged a sit-in protest at the location.
The protesting farmers are seeking compensation of Rs 10,000 per bigha for the sugarcane crops devastated during the recent floods. Rawat criticized the state government’s announcement of compensation at Rs 1,100 per bigha, describing it as inadequate. He stated, “The farmers consider this compensation amount to be an insult and wish to return it to the government. Farmers are the backbone of our rural economy, and they should receive compensation at a minimum rate of Rs 10,000 per bigha.” Rawat also noted that during his tenure as chief minister, compensation for such cases was set at Rs 8,000 per bigha.
Additionally, Rawat called for a revision of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for sugarcane. He argued, “With the increasing demand for sugar and ethanol, farmers should reap the benefits. The sugarcane price should exceed Rs 425 per quintal.”
Leader of the Opposition Yashpal Arya, Bhagwanpur MLA Mamta Rakesh, and the former state unit chief of the Congress, Ganesh Godiyal, also participated in the protest.
