As Punjab stares at severe power outages, farm unions’ meet on relaxing ‘rail roko’ inconclusive

Power outages surged in Punjab, especially in rural areas, with the ongoing rail blockade severely impacting coal supply for thermal power plants even as a meeting of 30 farmer unions called to decide on relaxing the rail roko protest at 33 sites in state remained inconclusive on Saturday.

Farmer leaders said that a decision could not be taken as all unions could not attend the meeting in Barnala. The next meeting on the issue is now scheduled on October 15.

“All 30 farmer union heads were not present in the meeting held at Barnala and hence the decision on CM’s appeal on relaxing ‘rail roko’ could not be taken. Next meeting of all farmer unions has been scheduled for October 15. This point will now be taken up in that meeting only,” said Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, general secretary of BKU (Ugrahan).