Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Jun, 17
Alleging exploitation of Khair growing farmers by the Forest mafia operative in the state, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh JKNPP Chairman and Former Minister today appealed to the Governor to come to their rescue so as to save them from starvation and misery. With the poor farmers being divested of their marginal produce of Khair by powerful industrial houses in league with corrupt officers of the Forest Deptt at throwaway prices, the very subsistence and livelihood of these farmers had been threatened. He said that around 35000 farmers of Jammu region were dependent upon Khair farming for their survival in view of nature of their lands which were not suitable for any other crop. Growing only in Kandi areas of Jammu region, the Khair-tree technically known as ‘Acacia catechu’ was the only source of subsistence for the farmers of the sub tropical belt of Jammu region owning these otherwise non productive and non irrigated lands in the six districts of Udhampur, Reasi, Rajouri, Jammu, Samba and Kathua, divulged Mr. Singh. He regretted that expropriation of the produce of the these farmers by the Deptt – Industrialist nexus for peanuts had not only led to their impoverishment but created huge resentment amongst them. He was addressing a press conference in Jammu today alongwith Mr. Yash Paul Kundal State President Young Panthers.
Mr. Harsh Dev Singh said that the state Govt had granted permission to certain selected industrialists mostly outsiders only to operate ‘katha’ factories in the state who had monopolized the purchases of Khair-wood and were exploitating the poor farmers.
Not only were the farmers underpaid but their payments were withheld for months and years by these powerful industrial houses leading to untold miseries for the poor cultivators, he said.
Accusing the Forest Deptt authorities of promoting the interests of these big business houses and factory owners at the cost of poor cultivators, Mr. Singh regretted the non issuance of permission to them for felling and sale of Khair-wood during 2018-19 despite there being an annual calendar for felling and sale of such trees as provided for in SRO-111 issued in pursuance of court orders. He said that the three factory units which had been sealed last year were found to be having excess stock of Khair-wood in their business premises and had therefore connived with the Forest Deptt authorities so as to disallow the farmers from felling their trees which could be sold outside the state by them at lucrative prices. Seeking immediate accord of permission to farmers for felling and sale of Khair-trees in terms of SRO-111, Mr. Singh accused these industrialists of imposing hindrances in the free flow of Khair-wood outside the state for vested interests in connivance with corrupt officers which also needed due cognizance of the Governor’s Administration. He said that 35000 farmers alongwith their families would be forced to come on the roads if the unholy Forest Deptt – Industrialist nexus responsible for their exploitation and impoverishment was not busted and farmers allowed to get remunerative pricing for their produce.
Mr. Yash Paul Kundal said that the Khair growing farmers were being exploited and ignored only because they all belonged to Jammu region as the production of Khair was restricted to the Kandi belt of dogra land due to its peculiar land characteristics and weather conditions. He said that 35000 farmers alongwith their families would be forced to come on roads if their issues were not settled at the earliest.
Mr. Parshotam Parihar State Secretary Panthers Trade Union was also present in the press conference.
