Badal settles farmers-Trident Group issue

Chandigarh, June 30 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today successfully clinched a comprehensive package of understanding with the farmers, who had been agitating for a respectable compensation for the land acquired by the previous Congress government for the Trident Group of Industries in Barnala district.

The Chief Minister had been in touch with various groups of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) including the one headed by Punjab Mandi Board Chairman Ajmer Singh Lakhowal.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) acting president Sukhbir Singh Badal, MP played a crucial role in bringing the government and the farmers on a common platform. The agitation by the farmers which was intesified last year had led to the death of three persons and a large number of agitators were booked by the pervious government.

A delegation of kisan groups met the Chief Minister at Punjab Bhawan here this morning. The Chief Minister said that SAD-BJP government was committed to the welfare of farmers.

He reiterated the commitment of the SAD-BJP government not to acquire farmer's land forcibly. He said that the state government had already announced new land pooling policy.

The Chief Minister announced to give compensations of Rs five lakh to the kin of the families of three farmers who died during this agitation and also assured job for one member of their family.

At the same time agricultural debt due on the name of the deceased farmers would also be borne by the government.

The Chief Minister also announced to give compensation of Rs 25,000 each to the farmers injured through out the state during this agitation. The Chief Minister also issued directions to all the Deputy Commissioner's to initiate process for withdrawal of different criminal cases against farmers registered during this agitation.

Prominent amongst those who participated in the meeting included Chief Secretary Ramesh Inder Singh, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister D S Guru and Secretary Power Suresh Kumar.

UNI