Protest at Tuta Dharna site over 10 demands; farmers from Dhamtari to Khairagarh reached there, also protesting against limestone quarries

Raipur. Farmers in Chhattisgarh protested at the Tuta protest site in Raipur on Tuesday to press their 10-point demands. Police barricaded hundreds of farmers who were planning to surround the ministry. The farmers then submitted a memorandum to the concerned official. After the protest, which lasted about an hour, the farmers returned.

The farmers' key demands include the immediate payment of ₹1,700 crore in outstanding dues for the 2022-23 paddy procurement, an increase in the support price for paddy, and the resolution of issues related to bonuses and payments. They also demanded the promotion of cow dung manure as an alternative to chemical fertilizers and the resolution of problems related to irrigation projects.

Allegations of not receiving full payment even after announcement

Bharatiya Kisan Sangh's Dhamtari district president, Lalaram Chandrakar, said that despite the government's announcement, farmers have not received full payment. He also demanded that farmers receive the benefits of the increased support price announced by the central government.

Farmer Raj Kumar Sinha, who arrived from Kurud, said that officials did not arrive at the scene, preventing farmers from protesting. He said that farmers should be given the opportunity to express their demands and that their problems should be resolved quickly.

Opposition to limestone quarries and canal demolition

Lukeswari Janghel, a woman farmer from Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai district, said she joined the protest to press for 10-point demands. There is also opposition to a limestone quarry in her area.

During the protest, farmers also raised the issue of token-related difficulties during paddy procurement and arrangements for cattle. A female farmer objected to the demolition of a canal in the name of road construction. They demanded that their problems be addressed seriously.