Relax MCC Guidelines on Essential Services Contracts During LS Polls: Farmers Appeal to J&K CEO

Srinagar: As the Lok Sabha elections loom large in Kashmir, farmers are making a fervent appeal to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Jammu and Kashmir PK Pole to ease the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) guidelines concerning essential services contracts.
The farmers, grappling with the challenges of the election season coinciding with the peak period for horticulture and agriculture, stress the urgent need for uninterrupted access to critical infrastructure such as drains, canals, and other essential amenities.
At this crucial juncture of the agricultural calendar, farmers heavily depend on these vital services to ensure the optimal growth and yield of their crops. However, the strict enforcement of MCC often leads to disruptions in these contracts, exacerbating the hardships faced by the farming community.
Voicing his concerns, Jeelani Mir, a farmer hailing from Anantnag, lamented, “The timing of the Lok Sabha elections clashes with our busiest season. We rely on functional drains and canals to sustain our crops. Yet, the MCC restrictions impede these essential services, putting our livelihoods in jeopardy.”
The extended period of dry weather has raised concerns among farmers, who heavily rely on adequate water supply for their crops. With the looming threat of water scarcity, exacerbated by the coinciding peak agricultural season, the situation presents a daunting challenge for the farming community.
Similarly, Ghulam Abbas, a farmer from Baramulla, urged, “We implore the government to relax the MCC guidelines pertaining to essential service departments during electoral periods. Our agricultural pursuits cannot afford delays caused by bureaucratic processes.”
Farmers from across Kashmir are urging authorities to strike a balance between democratic proceedings and ensuring uninterrupted essential services crucial for their sustenance.
They emphasize the necessity for flexibility in MCC regulations to mitigate adverse impacts on the agriculture and horticulture sectors during election cycles.
Another farmer said that this poignant reminder of the intricate interplay between political exigencies and the livelihoods of millions reliant on agriculture in the region.
“We are optimistic for a swift resolution from the CEO to ensure seamless support for their crops during this critical juncture.