Cost of Shambhu border protest: Farm group Kisan Mazdoor Morcha got 20.6L for 13-month stir, left with Rs 1,734
Bathinda: Farmer forum Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) on Saturday released details of the donations it received and the expenses it made during the 13-month-long protest helmed by the farmers' body at the Shambhu border between Punjab and Haryana from Feb 13, 2024, to Mar 19 this year.
The protest, along with another stir helmed by Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) at Khanauri border between the two states, was carried out to demand a legal right for farmers on the minimum support price (MSP) for their crops, calculated for a 50% profit over comprehensive cost.
KMM claimed that it received Rs 20,58,254 over the 13 months and spent Rs 20,56,520, leaving it with cash at hand of Rs 1,734.
KMM also released a month-wise account of the funds for the period from Feb 2024 to Mar 2025.
According to details, KMM received the highest amount in donations in May 2024, getting Rs 6,53,650. The lowest collection was made in Jan 2025, with the group getting just Rs 39,095 for the entire month. The highest expenditure was incurred in April and May 2024, when over Rs 5 lakh each were spent.
Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) is yet to release the details of its accounts. The group headed by Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who went on a hunger strike for MSP, said it will make public its accounts on June 25.
KMM accounts committee member Guramneet Singh Mangat said they audited their accounts in April, but a couple of receipt books went missing when police forcibly demolished the morcha site on March 19. "We had to find those receipts and then audit the accounts. This is why the process was delayed," he said.
SKM (Non-Political) functionary Abhimanyu Kohar said both forums met on June 19, where accounts from both sides were shared. "We are busy with some engagements and the accounts will be put in the public domain on June 25," he said.
The collection of funds was mired in controversy even during the previous 2020-21 farmers' protest on the borders of Delhi, as certain leaders alleged misappropriation of funds. MSID:: 121991783 413 |
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