Ambala: Farmers protesting over problems related to the ‘Meri Fasal Mera Byora’ portal, delays in issuing gate passes and a reduction in the per-acre paddy procurement limit lifted their road blockade on Saturday following assurances from the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) in Ambala City .




The protest was organised under the banner of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Shaheed Bhagat Singh (SBS). The SDM met the protesting farmers and assured them that all their grievances would be permanently resolved by Oct 22.




The union, however, warned that if the issues remained unresolved within the stipulated deadline, farmers would gherao the SDM’s office with tractor-trolleys loaded with paddy and may be forced to unload their produce there.




The administration has assured farmers that registration and verification issues on the ‘Meri Fasal Mera Byora’ portal would be addressed on priority so that technical glitches do not prevent them from bringing their produce to mandis.




On the issue of the reduced per-acre paddy procurement limit, the administration reportedly assured the farmers that they would not suffer losses because of the cut. Genuine produce exceeding the limit recorded on the portal would also be procured, the union said, citing the assurances given by the authorities.




The SDM also assured the protesters that delays in issuing gate passes at mandis would be addressed immediately. Timely lifting of procured paddy and prompt payment to farmers’ bank accounts were also among the commitments made by the administration.




BKU SBS president Amarjit Singh Mohri said the union expected the administration to fulfil its assurances within the stipulated time frame. He warned that farmers would intensify their agitation if their demands were not met.




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