Bathinda: The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has decided to launch a public movement across Punjab next month over issues including river-water sharing, control of dams, proposed defence bundhs along the border and the reported inclusion of agriculture in the proposed India-US trade deal.The farmers’ body will first meet Punjab governor Gulab Chand Kataria and submit a memorandum seeking intervention by the Centre. SKM leaders said the agitation would be intensified in July if they did not receive a constructive response.The decision was taken at an SKM meeting on Sunday. The outfit had last month attempted to march to Punjab Bhawan from Mohali but was stopped by police, who resorted to a lathicharge. The governor had subsequently invited SKM leaders for a meeting, but it was deferred after some farmer leaders sustained injuries during the police action. The organisation has now sought fresh time for the meeting.SKM said Punjab, being a riparian state, was not receiving an adequate share of river waters and alleged that the Centre was gradually diluting the state’s control over the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and Bhakra dam.With groundwater levels declining rapidly, Punjab requires greater availability of canal water to reduce dependence on groundwater extraction, the organisation said.The farmers’ body also expressed concern over reports of construction of defence bundhs in border areas, claiming they could obstruct the natural flow of rivers and increase flood risks during the monsoon, causing losses to farmers in low-lying areas.SKM also opposed reports that agriculture and allied sectors may be included in the proposed India-US trade agreement. It argued that such a move would adversely affect Indian farmers, who would find it difficult to compete with heavily subsidised agricultural producers in the United States.The organisation said all these issues directly affected Punjab’s farming sector and warranted a broad-based public movement.
