Farmers and Apple Growers Unite in Shimla to Demand Land Rights and Policy Reforms
A state-level convention was held on Monday at Kalibari, Shimla, under the joint initiative of the Himachal Kisan Sabha and the Himachal Apple Producers Association. The focus was on addressing the eviction of farmers from agricultural land and advocating for regularization of land holdings. The convention saw the participation of nearly 400 farmers from across the state and representatives from organizations like CITU, Janwadi Mahila Samiti, SFI, Progressive Pensioners Association, Democratic Youth Federation, Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch, and others.
Key Highlights of the Convention
Opening Discussions on Key Laws
Rakesh Singha, National Coordinator of the All-India Apple Producers Association, inaugurated the event. He discussed the impact of laws such as the Indian Forest Act (1927), Forest Conservation Act (1980), and Forest Rights Act (2006) on farmers and horticulturists. Highlighting the need for amendments, Singha stressed that these changes require strong political will and a sensitive approach from the government. He also criticized the state government for failing to present a robust case in the Supreme Court, which could have alleviated farmers’ concerns.
Strategic Planning for Future Action
Sanjay Chauhan, Co-Convenor of the United Farmers’ Platform, emphasized the need for a detailed strategy to address the challenges that have arisen due to recent Supreme Court decisions.
Action Plan and Key Demands
Dr. Kuldeep Singh Tanwar, State President of the Himachal Kisan Sabha, proposed organizing conventions at district, subdivision, block, and tehsil levels in the next six weeks. Key actions include submitting memorandums to the state and central governments on February 11 and organizing a Secretariat march during the budget session to highlight pressing issues.
Key demands outlined during the convention included:
1. Mutating non-forest land in farmers’ possession to their ownership.
2. Resolving land disputes through special mutations.
3. Providing compensation for homes destroyed in the 2023 natural disasters, as per amendments to the Forest Conservation Act.
4. Reintroducing the “land transfer” policy for forest land occupants.
5. Implementing proposals from the 2024 winter assembly session to identify and compensate for lands lost to natural disasters.
6. Granting ownership rights to occupiers of small forest patches under “Khudra-O-Darakhtan Malkiyat Sarkar.”
7. Amending communal land rules in Sirmaur to support farmers with less than 5 bighas of land.
8. Resolving pending ownership cases for Chakotedars.
The proposal was passed unanimously.
Closing Remarks
Farmer leader Dr. Omkar Shad criticized the state government for failing to implement resolutions passed in 2015-16 regarding land regularization. He urged farmers to recognize the lack of commitment from the authorities and emphasized the need for strong, unified farmer organizations to fight for their rights.
This convention underscored the farmers’ resolve to push for their rights and bring about meaningful policy changes to secure their livelihoods.
