Another Bharat Bandh On Sept 27; Bank Officers’ Union Joins Farmers’ Call

New Delhi: Farmers’ group Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has found substantial backing for its Bharat Bandh call on September 27.

The All India Bank Officers’ Confederation (AIBOC) extended support to the nationwide shutdown call and urged upon the Central government to resume talks with farmers on their demand to roll back the controversial farm laws.

AIBOC released a statement saying that its affiliates and state units will join protest actions to show solidarity with farmers all over the country.

AIBOC stated that the government’s proclaimed target of doubling farmers’ income by 2022 seems a distant dream. Citing the NSS Land and Livestock holdings of Households and Situation Assessment of Agricultural Households report released earlier this month, the bank officers’ union pointed out that average outstanding loan per agricultural household rose to Rs 74,121 in 2018 from Rs 47,000 in 2013, which showed deep farm distress.

Forty farmer unions, led by SKM, have called for total shutdown on September 27 to make their movement stronger.

Several political parties, workers’ unions and other organizations have thrown their weight behind the latest Bharat Bandh call.

Farmers unions had observed a Bharat Bandh on March 26 this year.

Farmers’ protest against the agriculture laws completed 300 days on Wednesday.