The Haryana committee of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) has expressed serious concern over the sharp decline in the area under cotton cultivation across the state’s major cotton-growing districts, including Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar, Bhiwani, Rewari and Mahendergarh.
The issue was discussed at a state-level committee meeting held in Rohtak on Monday, where members blamed government policies for the declining trend, warning that it could have far-reaching consequences for the nation’s cotton economy and lakhs of cotton-growing farmers.
The meeting was presided over by AIKS state president Master Balbir Singh, who strongly criticised the Centre’s decision to again abolish the 11 per cent import duty on cotton, alleging that the move would worsen the economic condition of already distressed cotton farmers by encouraging cheaper imports.
“During the meeting, the committee hailed the farmers of Bhiwani and Dadri for emerging successful in their 10-month struggle demanding insurance claims for kharif crops damaged in the 2023 season, which was being denied by a private company. Now, the government must ensure immediate disbursal of approved compensation to farmers’ accounts,” said Inderjit Singh, national vice-president, AIKS.
Inderjit pointed out that the state government had approved crop damage compensation to the tune of Rs 375 crore following protests by farmers, but discrepancies in distribution needed to be addressed. Expressing dissatisfaction over the recently announced MSP for kharif crops, he said the increase was inadequate in view of the rising cost of cultivation and would fail to provide meaningful relief to farmers.
“The meeting also opposed the Haryana Government’s proposed installation of smart electricity meters and the creation of a separate discom for agriculture in the state, alleging that the measures would pave the way for privatisation of the power sector. We have decided to launch a joint agitation in collaboration with power consumers and electricity employees in the coming months,” said Singh.
Highlighting farmers’ issues related to irrigation infrastructure, Sumit Dalal, state general secretary, AIKS, said the organisation had conducted eight panchayats under its “Jhajjar to Ghaggar" campaign, along the Hisar-Ghaggar Multipurpose Drain for its maintenance and desilting, and proper disposal into the Ittu headworks at Sirsa. The committee also condemned the recent increase in diesel, petrol and LPG prices, stating that higher fuel costs would further increase cultivation expenses and burden common citizens. It further expressed concern over the reported shortage of fertilisers during the ongoing sowing season.
