Rajasthan: Farmers Hold Mahapanchayat Against Proposed Ethanol Plant

Jaipur: The farmers’ agitation against a proposed ethanol factory in Rajasthan’s Hanumangarh district has reached a decisive phase, with the administration indicating that the project lacks public support. Thousands of farmers gathered at a massive mahapanchayat organised by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) at Dhan Mandi in Hanumangarh on Wednesday to press their demand for cancellation of the project.

The protest was held against the proposed ethanol plant in the Rathi Khera area of Tibbi town. During talks with the district collector and the superintendent of police, SKM leaders conveyed that the factory would severely affect agriculture, groundwater resources and the environment. Following the discussions, the administration assured the farmers that their objections would be reported to the government and confirmed that cases registered against protesting farmers would be withdrawn.

Farmers have been opposing the project alleging that the ethanol factory would lead to excessive groundwater extraction, air pollution and long-term environmental damage. The agitation has witnessed wide participation, including thousands of women farmers, reflecting strong resistance at the grassroots level.

Several farmer leaders addressed the mahapanchayat, including All India Kisan Sabha treasurer P. Krishnaprasad, vice-president Inderjit Singh, Pushpendra Tyagi, district secretary Balwant Poonia, Bharatiya Kisan Union general secretary Rakesh Tikait and Joginder Ugraval. Speakers asserted that development projects cannot be imposed at the cost of agriculture, public health and natural resources.

The protest has been intensifying over the past few months. In July, tensions rose after the company began constructing a boundary wall at the proposed site. On December 10, farmers organised a large protest in front of the Tibbi Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s office. Later that evening, hundreds of farmers reached the factory site with tractors, demolished sections of the boundary wall and clashed with the police.

Ahead of the mahapanchayat, the district administration imposed strict security measures. All entry gates of Dhan Mandi except the main entrance were closed, mobile internet services were suspended, multiple layers of barricades were erected and a large police force was deployed with continuous patrolling.

Meanwhile, the state Department of Forest and Environment has constituted a committee to examine the potential impact of the proposed ethanol plant on groundwater and the environment. The committee will be headed by the Bikaner Division Commissioner, with the Special Secretary of the Forest and Environment Department serving as member secretary. The panel also includes the Hanumangarh District Collector, senior environmental engineers from the Pollution Control Board and the chief engineer of the Groundwater Department. The committee is expected to submit its report to the state government.