On Tuesday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann described the state farmers’ revolt as unjustified and unwanted but said he is open to negotiations.
He also urged farmer unions to join the state government’s fight against groundwater depletion in Punjab.
On Tuesday, Punjab farmers staged a demonstration along the Chandigarh-Mohali border after being prevented from travelling to the state capital to urge the administration for a wheat harvest bonus and the ability to plant paddy from June 10.
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The government has instructed farmers to postpone paddy transplanting until June 18.
The CM said that his doors are open for discussions with farmers but that empty slogans would not deter him from preventing further groundwater depletion.
Mr Mann told reporters after returning from Delhi, “They have a democratic right to have a dharna, but they should convey their grievances.”
On Tuesday, the administration met with farmers, according to Mr Mann.
When asked why farmers are so eager to see him, Mr Mann said, “They may show up. I had also tried phoning them earlier.” Mr Mann claims that the staggered paddy seeding scheme would not undermine farmers’ interests but instead work as a spur to save subsurface water.
“My father is a farmer. I understand how that may happen. What is the difference between June 18 and 10,” he said.
The CM encouraged farmers to back him for a year and promised that the state government would reimburse them if they suffered any losses during that time.
“Please help me for at least one year. If you lose money, I will make up the difference, “he declared
He invited the protesting farmers to notify him if he was incorrect since he is concerned about water conservation and reducing pollution in the state.
“I want to invite credible organizations to tell me what I’m doing wrong for the environment,” he added.
