FCI Bachao Diwas : BKU opposes DBT for farmers

No need to change system when it was working well: Farmer

FCI Bachao Diwas : BKU opposes DBT for farmers

Ferozepur, April 5, 2021:  On farmers’ call on the general public and farers to surround local FCI offices across India, on Monday, on Monday, farmers under the banner of Bhartiya Kissan Union staged a demonstration in front of the Food Corporation of India – FCI, offices/godowns at Ferozepur, to oppose DBT – Direct Bank Transfer for farmers and indirect attempts to privatize the food provision system.

The farmers, in an attempt to heap on their protest against the three controversial farm bills, had also decided to hold FCI Bacho Diwas by staging protests across the State, by blocking the Kundi-Manesar-Palwal – KMP Expressway for 24 hours on April 10 which will hit traffic especially the commercial vehicles.

In fact, the government is harassing farmers over their protests on three farm laws through the FCI and planning to procure wheat with a moisture content of 12% or less compared to 14% currently.

One of the farmers Mehar Singh giving a logic for opposing DBT said, the land ownership and tenancy issues may give rise to various avoidable legal complications when the payment will come in the name of the father being the owner and how the son, who is not in good terms will get the payment.  Even those who have gone abroad and given the land on lease, the payment will be transferred directly in his account.

We totally oppose the DBT and the old system should continue.  Arthritis (Commission Agents) and farmers have long-standing relations and there was no need to change the system when it was working very well.

Thousands of farmers have been protesting against the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.