Farmers Protest Ends in Punjab as Government Accepts Key Demands

Chandigarh, September 7 (Daily Kiran) : Farmers protesting at the Chandigarh-Mohali border have decided to end their demonstration following the Punjab government’s written assurance that it would address their key demands. This decision came on the evening of September 7, 2026, after Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian met with farmer representatives.

The written agreement stipulates that the Punjab government will convene a special assembly session within a month to discuss pressing issues. These include calls to reconsider long-standing unconstitutional water-sharing agreements, repeal certain sections of the Punjab Reorganization Act, and withdraw the controversial Seed Bill of 2025.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to farmers’ welfare, Minister Khudian emphasized the importance of resolving issues through dialogue and mutual understanding. He stated that the Bhagwant Mann government is fully committed to the well-being of farmers and has acknowledged their legitimate demands in writing.

To alleviate the financial burden on farmers, the minister announced the introduction of a ‘One-Time Settlement’ (OTS) policy for outstanding loans, particularly those taken from cooperative banks. A committee will be formed, consulting all political parties, to play a crucial role in reducing farmers’ debt.

On the issue of sugarcane pricing, Khudian assured that Punjab would continue to offer the highest prices in the country. He instructed that the file regarding sugarcane pricing be submitted promptly to initiate the process without delay.

The minister also promised timely payment of dues from private sugar mills to farmers and indicated that the existing ‘One Window, One Payment’ system used in cooperative mills would be implemented in private mills as well.

Regarding other demands from farmer unions, Khudian assured that a joint committee comprising senior government officials and elected representatives from the farmer unions would be established. This committee will investigate outstanding issues and work towards resolving them as quickly as possible.