Punjab, Haryana Govt. Not Helping Poor Farmers: HC

Considered to be one of the most fertile regions of the world, it’s natural for farmers in Punjab and Haryana be a happy lot but the reality is shockingly different. The farmers in both of these Northern states have had a tough time for the past few years and what’s worse is that their plea has been falling on deaf ears. This lackadaisical attitude of the government was underlined when the Punjab and Haryana High Court observed that the governments were not taking any substantial remedial steps to save poor farmers from committing suicides.

A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice S S Nijjer and Justice SS Saro asked the governments to file their replies by November 15.

Taking suo moto notice of media reports of farmer suicides, Mr Justice Pritam Pal has stated that the governments of Punjab and Haryana be issued directions to come to the rescue of poor farmers and other weaker sections of the society, who suffer on account of natural calamities like drought, floods and crop diseases, etc, thereby failing to re-pay their loans and debts.

Meanwhile in Amritsar, farmers held a protest rally, demanding quashing of the notification for acquiring 1218 acres of cultivable land for setting up a special economic zone (SEZ).