CHANDIGARH: The representatives of the Bharti Kissan Union (Ekta) led by its President Joginder Singh Ugrahan Friday called on the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and presented him a memorandum of demands regarding the problems of the farming community.  

Talking to the delegation, Badal pointed out that most of the demands contained in the memorandum like a fresh survey on farmers' suicides; regular power supply during paddy plantation had already been implemented by the state government in a suomoto initiative.  

The Chief Minister reiterated the Punjab Government's commitment to continue to treat agriculture as a priority sector and safeguard the interests of the farming community in every possible way.   He said that some of the problems like farmers' indebtedness required massive assistance from the Union government which unfortunately had not been forthcoming so far.   He said that he would be meeting the Prime Minster Dr.Manmohan Singh in the coming days to focus attention on the gravity of the agricultural crisis in the state. 

The delegation comprised of General Secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, Ruldhu Singh Mansa President Punjab Kisan Union, Kanwalpreet Singh Pannu, Convenor Kisan Sangarsh Committee, Satnam Singh Pannu and Balraj Singh Bhail, both state committee leaders of Kisan Sangarsh Committee beside media advisor to CM Harcharan Bains.