Punjab Industry Braces for Impact as Farmers Resume Agitation Towards Delhi

As thousands of farmers from Punjab resume their march towards Delhi, the local industry finds itself on edge, reflecting on past disruptions caused by their protests.

The industry, including the Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertaking (CICU) and Punjab Haryana Delhi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PHDCCI), is already feeling the impact as blockades on national highways begin to hinder the movement of goods.

Concerns are rising as the farmers, led by groups like Sanyukt Kisan Morcha and Kisan Sangharsh Mazdoor Morcha, show determination to intensify their agitation in the wake of recent clashes with Haryana police.

The PHDCCI’s Punjab chapter chairman RS Sachdeva expressed industry-wide panic due to the risks associated with the ongoing protests, highlighting the potential disruptions in the supply chain and productivity.

While the protesting farmers face resistance from authorities, the industry fears a significant repeat of the losses endured during the 2020-21 stir, urging swift resolution through dialogue.

Amidst warnings from industry leaders like Badish Jindal of Federation of Punjab Small Industries Association (FOPSIA), the agitation’s escalation could lead to mounting logistics costs and supply chain disruptions.

The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, BKU (Ugrahan), and other unions have announced plans to intensify protests, causing anxiety among Punjab’s 5,000 auto component manufacturing companies and other sectors.