Chandigarh
 
The seven-day farmers’ morcha at the Chandigarh-Mohali border ended on Monday after the Punjab Government gave a written assurance accepting several key demands, including convening a special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha within a month to assert the state’s rights over river waters. The government also committed to pursuing a farm-loan One-Time Settlement (OTS), clearing pending sugarcane dues in a time-bound manner, and extending the “One Window, One Payment” system to private sugar mills.
 
The written commitment, handed over by Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian to farmer representatives at the protest site, paved the way for the withdrawal of the agitation that had begun on September 1. Farmers subsequently started leaving the Chandigarh-Mohali border, bringing relief to commuters and Mohali residents who had faced disruption because of the prolonged protest.
 
The settlement also gives the government a month to convert its assurances into legislative and administrative action, while farmer leaders have made it clear that they will closely monitor implementation.
 
The proposed special Assembly session will take up resolutions seeking reconsideration and abrogation of decades-old inter-state water-sharing agreements and repeal of Sections 78, 79, and 80 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966. The state will urge the Centre to uphold the riparian principle and restore Punjab’s rights over its river waters.
 
The Assembly will also pass resolutions opposing the Dam Safety Act and seeking withdrawal of the Seed Bill, 2025. These resolutions are to be forwarded to the Centre.
 
The water issue was among the most politically-sensitive demands of the SKM, with farmer leaders insisting that Punjab’s interests could not be compromised.
 
On farm debt, the government has agreed to formulate an OTS policy covering outstanding loans, particularly those taken from cooperative banks, including the Punjab State Cooperative Bank, Punjab State Agricultural Development Banks, and cooperative societies.
 
An all-party committee will examine the issue, consult stakeholders, and prepare a mechanism for settlement before its recommendations are considered for implementation.
 
The government has also promised time-bound clearance of pending dues owed by private sugar mills. The demand for enhancing the State Advised Price (SAP) of sugarcane will be taken up on priority, while the process for fixing the price has been initiated.
 
The “One Window, One Payment” mechanism currently applicable to cooperative mills will be extended to private mills as well.
 
A joint committee comprising senior government officials and farmer representatives will examine the remaining demands and work towards their early resolution.
 
The breakthrough followed a marathon meeting between farmer representatives and Khudian on Sunday. Though an understanding had been reached, the unions withheld their decision to withdraw until the government provided the assurances in writing.
 
The agitation involved 32 farmer organisations affiliated with the Samyukt Kisan Morcha. Back-channel negotiations continued through the week, involving officials including Ropar Range DIG Nanak Singh, Chandigarh SSP Kanwardeep Kaur, and Mohali SSP.
 
SKM leaders Balbir Singh Rajewal, Buta Singh Burjgill, Harinder Singh Lakhowal, Prem Singh Bhangu, and Raminder Patiala were among those involved in the talks.
 
Khudian said the government was committed to resolve farmers’ concerns through dialogue. Rajewal, while announcing the withdrawal, cautioned that the unions would assess the government’s action against the written commitments before deciding their next course.
 
For now, the roads are clear and the morcha has been lifted — but the government’s real test begins with implementation.
 
KEY ASSURANCES TO FARMERS
•      Special Assembly session to be convened within a month
•      Punjab to seek review of inter-state water-sharing agreements
•      Govt to move resolutions to seek repeal of Sections 78, 79 and 80 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act
•      OTS policy to be framed for farmers’ cooperative loans
•      Pending private sugar-mill dues to be cleared on a time-bound basis
•      “One Window, One Payment” system to be extended to private sugar mills