AIKS Team Visits Punjab, Extends Relief to Punjab Flood Affected People
A delegation of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) on October 8 visited the flood-hit regions of Tarn Taran, Amritsar and Gurdaspur in Punjab to provide relief to the people affected. The team noted that the floods in Punjab have been unprecedented and in the affected regions they have meant total loss of standing crop, with reports of over 5 lakh acres of agricultural land being submerged.
People accused the AAP state government in Punjab and the Narendra Modi-led BJP-NDA government at the centre of totally abdicating their responsibility, with not even a single rupee of relief or compensation reaching them even one and a half months after the catastrophe.
AIKS distributed relief to the affected people like blankets as well as diesel for the next sowing season. It is also planned to help poor farmers in the sowing season with seeds, tractors, diesel etc.
AIKS President Dr Ashok Dhawale, General Secretary Vijoo Krishnan, Vice President and Member of Parliament from Sikar Amra Ram, Finance Secretary P Krishnaprasad, Vice President Inderjit Singh, CKC members Pema Ram, Pushpinder Tyagi, and Manoj Kumar were present. CPI(M) State Secretary Sukhwinder Sekhon, AIKS leaders from Punjab Baljit Grewal, Satnam Baraich, Major Singh and others were also part of the delegation.
Two teams were formed and visited different areas of the three districts. Clearly, this devastation is the result of the criminal negligence of the Bhakra Beas Management Administration.
AIKS condemned Modi’s announcement of a paltry relief package of merely Rs 1600 crore and demanded Rs.25,000 crore, compensation of Rs 1 lakh per acre, compensation for loss of livestock, free seeds for the next season, 3 months wages to agricultural labourers, waiver of loans and interest subvention.
At the end of the visit, a press conference was held and it was addressed by AIKS leaders Dr Ashok Dhawale, Vijoo Krishnan, Amra Ram, MP, and Sukhwinder Singh Sekhon.
Protests will be held across the State in a united manner with SKM and other class/mass organisations for ensuring justice to the flood-affected.
