Invitation for Kissan Panchayat

(Farmer's Convention)

On 24-25 ^th August, 2007 at Amar Ashram (Shaheed Bhagat Singh Hall),

Near Polo Ground, Patiala (Punjab)

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Dear Friends,

Hereby, we invite you to attend a Kissan Convention, being held at Patiala on 24 ^th and 25^th, August 2007 by the People's Democratic Front of India (PDFI) and its constituent organisations, working in the agriculture sector. The convention is addressed to the burning issues that confront the peasants of India today. It will take up the question of indebtedness and suicides of farmers and the threat of land acquisition for various projects including SEZ. It will also arrange a session to discuss various movements going over on these issues thought the country, and ways and means to coordinate all these movements to initiate a countrywide united movement.

Program Sheet

24-08-07 (Friday)

First Session : Inaugural Session

Presided by Dr B.D. Sharma, Convener of PDFI & Retd. Commissioner Govt. of India

Inaugural Speech : Gursharan Singh, Noted Artist and Dramatist

Welcome Address : Balkar Singh Dakaunda, President, BKU (Ekta), Punjab

Introductory Speech : Dr. Darshan Pal, PDFI

Chief Guest : Prof. Jagmohan Singh , General Secretary, AFDR, Punjab.

Second Session : Indebtedness and Suicides of Farmers

Presided by Madhuri, Jagruk Adivasi Dalit Sangathan, MP

Papers to be presented by :

Dr. B. D. Sharma ,. PDFI- Indebtedness of Farmers : Reasons and Solutions

Prof. Sukhpal Singh , Agriculture University, Ludhiana : Agrarian Crisis : Indebtedness and Farmer's Suicides in Punjab

Prof. Ranjit Singh Ghumman , Punjabi University, Patiala : Peasantry, Problems of Rural Area and solution

Mr. Buta Singh Burjgill , Gen. Secretary, BKU (Ekta), Punjab: Indebtedness of Farmers and peasant's struggle.

25-8-2007 (Saturday)

Third Session : The Land Acquisition for various projects including SEZ, Displacement and Coordination of People's Movement

Presided by Ramachandra Singh, Bhoomiheen Kissan Sangharsh Samiti, UP

Papers to be presented by :

Prof Sucha Singh Gill , Punjabi University, Patiala- On Special Economic Zone

Arjun Prasad Singh , PDFI – On Displacement

Representative of BKU (Ekta), Punjab : New Economic Policies Displacement and Peasant's struggle

Fourth Session

Presided by Dr Darshan Pal, PDFI

1. Reporting and Discussion on the ongoing Movements and Struggles on Issues and Demands of Peasants/Farmers, specially against Indebtedness, Land Acquisition, Displacement and SEZ

2. Future Coordination of various Struggles/Movements and Organisations for Building a United All India Farmer's Movement.

3. Resolutions

In this Kissan Panchayat (Convention) , most of the organizations working in different parts of the country on the issues and demands of the peasants/farmers are invited.

Your organisation is cordially invited to take part in the Kissan Panchayat (Convention) . Please make sure your presence and contribute in deliberations, strengthen the solidarity of peasant organisations and build a mighty movement against WTO, MNCs and anti-peasant policies of Indian rulers and states.

Participating Organisations:

BKU (Ekta), Punjab, Milkmen and Dairy Union, Punjab, Bhoomiheen Kissan Sangharsh Samiti, UP, Kissan Sangharsh Samiti, Moradabad, UP, Mukti Vahini , Mainpuri, UP, Jan Mukti Morcha, Azamgarh, UP, Jan Mukti Morcha, Basti-Gurakhpur, UP, Bihar Kissan Samiti, Janwadi Mazdoor Kissan Sabha, Bihar, Chhattisgarh Kissan Union, Jagruk Adivasi Dalit Sangathan, MP, Adivasi Mukti Morcha, MP, All India Praja Poratala Samiti, AP, Bharat Jan Andolan. Andhra Pradesh Rythu Coolie Samgam (APRCS),

Contacts : 094172-69294, 094176-24866, 09410477775, 099684-22834, 094630-47216, 011-24353997, 094253-13918

With thanks

On behalf the Sub Committee on Agriculture Crisis,

People's Democratic Front of India (PDFI)

Dr. B D Sharma (011-24353997 ), Madhuri (094253-13918) , Rakesh Rafique ( 09410477775), Arjun Prasad Singh (099684-22834) , Balkar Singh Dakaunda (094176-24866) , Harjinderjit Singh (094630-47216) ,Thomas Mathew

and Dr. Darshan Pal (094172-69294)