By IANS,
Chandigarh : The Punjab government and Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) (Rajewal group) Friday reached a compromise over the issue of central grant disbursement among the state’s farmers.
Following this, BKU president Balbir Singh Rajewal also ended his hunger strike.
As per the agreement, the Punjab government will disburse Rs.300 crore, out of the total amount of Rs.800 crore (central grant), among the farmers of the state.
“We will disburse Rs.300 crore among the farmers. Out of this amount, Rs.150 crore will be given soon. Our officials have already started working in this direction and very soon farmers will get the amount. We are chalking out the modalities of the disbursement,” Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal told reporters here.
He added: “The remaining Rs.150 crore will be distributed among them, probably next year during the crop season. We know their (farmers’) problems very well and we are working all day and night for their welfare.”
Rajewal began an indefinite hunger strike Sep 20 on the outskirts of this city, in the Mohali town of Punjab. However, he was forcibly taken to the hospital Thursday by the Chandigarh police, as his condition deteriorated.
Rajewal had led a peaceful protest march Monday from Mohali but they were stopped by Chandigarh police on the border. Thereafter, they erected a tent-shelter and Rajewal sat there on hunger strike.
“This is the win of our peaceful protest. We are very happy and satisfied with the decision of the Punjab government,” said Rajewal.