50,000 farmers of BKU to lay siege to parliament on Feb 27

Moga, Feb 23 (UNI) At least 50,000 farmers under Bharti Kisan Union, led by Mohinder Singh Tikait, would go on indefinite ''dharna and gherao'' of Parliament from February 27, in support of their long- standing demands and to press Centre for waiving of farmers loans.

Punjab state BKU President Ajmer Singh Lakhowal and chairman Punjab Mandi Board told reporters here that at least 25,000 farmers from Punjab alone and remaining from Northern and Southern states, would not return from Delhi and continue the siege of Parliament untill and unless the Central government announced the waiving of entire loans and long-term package for the benefit of farmers.

Punjab was contributing 60 per cent foodgrains to the central pool for the national interest and it was the duty of the Centre to provide package on the pattern of Southern states like Maharastra, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka for waiving of loans.

In reply to a question, Mr Lakhowal outrightly rejected the Centre's decision of waiving of loans of small farmers as per the statement of Punjab Congress President Rajinder Kaur Bhattal.

Mr Lakhowal also stated that Bharti Kisan Union would press upon the Centre for the implementation of Swaminathan Commission's recommendation of MSP of wheat at Rs 1400 per quintal, Paddy Rs 1300 per quintal and Cotton of Rs 3800 per quintal.

He asked Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to take bold decision of imposing cess on export of wheat from the state to meet the subsidies charges of PSEB.

Earlier, Mr Lakhowal while addressing the farmers of the Moga district gave a call of 'Delhi Chalo' (March to Delhi) for February 27 gherao.

UNI XC JN MMS1740