CHANDIGARH — In a major development aimed at easing agrarian friction in the state, the Punjab government has agreed in principle to several key demands raised by farmer unions, including convening a special assembly session, hiking sugarcane prices, and withdrawing protest-related police cases.
The breakthrough came following a high-level meeting between Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian and farmer union representatives, led by Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) leader Sarwan Singh Pandher. Addressing reporters post-meeting, Pandher characterized the dialogue as having taken place in an “exceptionally cordial and constructive atmosphere.”
Special Assembly Session on Agrarian Issues
The centerpiece of the discussions was an assurance by Agriculture Minister Khudian that a dedicated session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha will be convened by October 15. The session is slated to pass formal resolutions addressing long-standing agricultural grievances, including the rollback of penalties on stubble burning and a resolution urging the reopening of the India-Pakistan border for regional trade.
Key Commitments and Core Demands
| Demand Sector | Agreed Government Action / Union Stance |
| Legislative Action | Special Vidhan Sabha session to be called by October 15 to pass agrarian resolutions. |
| Sugarcane Pricing | Assured hike in State Agreed Price (SAP) and clearance of pending mill dues within 15 days. |
| Debt Relief (OTS) | Push for a comprehensive One-Time Settlement scheme covering land mortgage and cooperative banks. |
| Legal Amnesty | In-principle agreement to withdraw cases filed by Punjab Police, RPF, and GRP during farmer agitations. |
| Stubble Burning | Unions demanded complete revocation of red entries and punitive fines; issue referred to the upcoming assembly session. |
| Farmer Welfare | ₹5 lakh financial compensation sought for families of farmers who died by suicide. |
| Power Sector | Follow-up meeting scheduled due to the absence of senior power department officials. |
Sugarcane Relief and Debt Resolution
Pandher highlighted that sugarcane growers could expect a concrete announcement within the next two weeks. “The government has assured us that sugarcane procurement rates will be revised upward and pending dues cleared promptly. A formal announcement is expected within 15 days,” Pandher stated.
On agricultural indebtedness, farmer leaders pressed the state to formulate a universal One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme. The proposed mechanism would cover cooperative institutions and land mortgage banks to deliver direct balance-sheet relief to marginal and debt-stressed cultivators across the state.
Legal Relief and Pending Consultations
The state administration has also agreed to initiate the legal procedures necessary to quash First Information Reports (FIRs) lodged by the Punjab Police, the Government Railway Police (GRP), and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) during past demonstrations, alongside cases stemming from crop residue burning. The government requested a brief procedural window to execute the withdrawals.
While broad consensus emerged across most agenda items, negotiations regarding agricultural power supply and tariff structures remain deferred. A dedicated follow-up round will be convened with senior energy department officials to address electricity grid demands.
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