Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, on Friday, launched a scathing attack on the farmers’ unions in the state which have made it a ‘hobby’ to block traffic on roads and create inconvenience to the public.

Speaking to reporters here, Mann said some farmers’ unions are holding the state government to ransom by blocking roads and staging dharnas to get their demands fulfilled. This callous and irresponsible attitude towards society is unwarranted and undesirable.

The CM accused some of the unions of staging dharnas for monetary considerations.

“Blocking roads and stopping the smooth flow of traffic is not good. It is becoming a trend to hold dharnas at the drop of a hat. People are getting inconvenienced. So far there is public sympathy with you (unions), you will lose it if the public is inconvenienced by your actions. It is your right to hold democratic protest, please do it outside the house of MLAs, ministers or at DC office,” the CM said urging the agitating unions to exercise their democratic right of protest without creating any inconvenience to the general public.

He said the harassment of common man on the hollow pretext of rights must be avoided. This statement by the CM comes in wake of five dharnas being staged by different farmer unions across the state demanding jobs for next of kin and monetary compensation for families of farmers who died in the year long struggle against farm laws, bonus for wheat yield loss, cancellation of FIRs against farmers for stubble burning.

Mann claimed that his government has accepted almost all these demands but some unions are staging protests only to mark their presence. The CM said his doors are always open for discussion with every section of society in consonance of which he held detailed meetings with farmers too and accepted their major demands. However, he said that despite this some organisations are harassing the people in the name of getting their rights, which is not justifiable.

Listing the pro-farmers initiatives of his government, Bhagwant Mann said that for the first time in the history of the state his government has cleared all the pending arrears of sugarcane farmers.

The Chief Minister said that his government is giving Rs 380 as State Agreed Price (SAP) of the sugarcane crop.

Mann said that sugar mills have been directed to start crushing from November 20 and ensure timely payment to the farmers.

The CM said for the first time in the state farmers have got uninterrupted power supply during the paddy season.