a day ago
Farmers urge Modi to stand firm against US tariffs, calls for ban on US companies
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserting that the country 'will never compromise on the interests of its farmers,' farmer leaders from Haryana urged the Modi government to impose a ban on American companies operating in India as a befitting response to the US move to hike tariffs.
President of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Chaduni) Gurnam Singh Chaduni thanked the Centre for taking a stand for farmers. Urging the Prime Minister to act decisively, he added, 'American companies functioning in India and trying to control the market should be thrown out. When they are ready to destroy us, why should we spare them? Why have we given them a place in our country?'
Chaduni added, 'When you take a stand, the country will stand by you and this would cause fear among countries such as America. Otherwise, they will threaten us in the future too.'
He added that people should stop buying products of American companies. 'We have seen in Gharaunda (Karnal) where American companies have opened three malls and were given special concessions. Why are we supporting them? We oppose Donald Trump and his policies. In future, we will hold protests against them,' he added.
He added, 'We believe that America wants India to open its agriculture, fisheries, and dairy sectors to its large corporations and multinational companies, which goes against the interests of our farmers. More than half of India's population depends on agriculture, and ignoring their interests cannot be accepted under any circumstances.'
Pagdi Sambhal Jatta Kisan Sangharsh Samiti president Mandeep Nathwan said, 'If the PM is true to his commitment, the Centre should impose a ban on American companies operating in India.'
Paddy dwarfing: Virus hits paddy again, BKU seeks compensation
Chaduni Friday approached also Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini seeking compensation for farmers whose paddy crops have suffered losses due to the Southern Rice Black-Streaked Dwarf Virus (SRBSDV). Farmers said that the virus has caused dwarfing of rice plants across several regions of the state.
In a letter to the CM, BKU (Chaduni) president Gurnam Singh Chaduni said that the disease has severely impacted paddy crops in Karnal, Kurukshetra, Ambala, Yamunanagar, Kaithal, Jind, Panipat, Rohtak, and Sonipat districts — mirroring the outbreak seen in 2022.
Chaduni also urged the government to implement preventive measures to safeguard future crops and mitigate recurring losses due to SRBSDV.
Sukhbir Siwach's extensive and in-depth coverage of farmer agitation against three farm laws during 2020-21 drew widespread attention. ... Read More
