INLD protests statewide

Tribune News Service

Gurgaon, August 8

Members of the INLD today took out a march here to protest against the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.

They claimed the premium paid under the scheme was being forcibly collected from state farmers, especially those who had taken agricultural loans from banks.

The protesters, including women, raised slogans against the Centre and the state BJP government and demanded that rollback of the scheme.

The party workers gathered at the Old Jail Complex near the Sohna Chowk and marched towards the Mini-Secretariat here. They were led by former state Deputy Speaker Gopi Chand Gahlot and other senior party leaders.

Yamunangar: The INLD today held a demonstration at the Mini-Secretariat opposing the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. Hundreds of party workers led by Ashok Arora, state INLD president, handed over a memorandum to the Governor through SS Phulia, Deputy Commissioner, in this regard. Earlier, the INLD workers assembled in front of the gate of the new grain market, Jagadhri, where they were addressed by party leaders.

Arora said the government had nothing to do with the betterment of farmers and the yojana had been launched only to benefit the insurance companies.

Jhajjar: Members of the INLD today organised a protest march and submitted a memorandum to Anita Yadav, Deputy Commissioner. They termed the scheme as anti-farmers.

Earlier, they gathered at the INLD office near Bikaner Chowk and started their protest march, which culminated at the Mini-Secretariat.

Karnal farmers up in arms

Karnal: Farmers of the district are agitated over the deduction of the premium for the Pradhanmantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PFBY) from their accounts. They are accusing the banks and the government of deducting the premium without their consent. “I was taken aback after seeing my bank passbook. Rs 5,312 have been deducted from my account as the premium for the PFBY. The bank should have consulted me before doing so,” said Ved Tyagi, a farmer from Gonder village. Rattan Mann, president of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, said members of the union today protested outside the State Bank branch in Nagla Megha village against the scheme. He said the union had launched a campaign against the scheme and members were spreading awareness among farmers about the demerits of the scheme, he said. “We will start a padyatra at Loharu in Bhiwani against the scheme,” he said. He said: “It is unfair to deduct money without the consent of the farmer. This scheme is just providing insurance companies with benefits.” TNS