Farmers can apply for these cards through official union channels to show their membership:
Toll booth operators who attempt to deny free passage to individuals presenting BKU cards often face immediate resistance. This frequently results in sit-ins, heated arguments, or the temporary forced lifting of toll barriers by union supporters.
In mid-2024, toll plaza operators began a crackdown. At the on the Ludhiana-Ferozepur highway, authorities displayed a board declaring that no "kisan card" would be accepted for discount or free passage in any lane. Officials reported catching thousands of vehicles passing through for free, leading to daily losses of hundreds of thousands of rupees for the toll companies. Some reports indicate that these fake cards were being produced at cafes in Jagraon and supplied to non-farmers attempting to exploit the system. Toll Plaza Bhartiya Kisan Union Id Card Punjab
There is a stark contrast between official Indian highway laws and the ground reality at toll plazas in Punjab. The Official Legal Stance
Different BKU factions united, making the ID cards a ubiquitous sight. Farmers can apply for these cards through official
The practice of granting toll tax exemptions to farmers in Punjab has its roots in the state's powerful agricultural movements. After major farmers' agitations, most Kisan Unions in Punjab secured informal or formal exemptions from toll tax at many plazas. Consequently, toll tax is no longer collected from farmers at a large number of toll plazas across the state. For the farmers, this was a symbolic victory. However, to avail this benefit, they have to prove their identity by showing their at the plaza's booth.
If a toll plaza has a police naka (checkpoint), officers often overrule the union’s authority. Police will cite the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, which make no mention of union IDs. There is a stark contrast between official Indian
The is a fascinating artifact of rural power dynamics. For the average farmer, it serves as a badge of belonging—proof that they stand with Punjab’s agrarian movement. For the toll plaza operator, it is a potential headache: a card that carries no legal weight but significant street-level influence.
Because of the immense organizational strength of the BKU in Punjab, toll plaza operators often choose compliance over confrontation. To avoid lengthy highway blockades that disrupt traffic for hours, operators frequently allow vehicles displaying BKU flags or identity cards to pass without paying. Impact on Infrastructure and Governance
Helps authorities identify active union members during peaceful demonstrations. The Connection to Toll Plazas
The tradition of farmers seeking toll exemptions in Punjab gained significant momentum during the historic 2020–2021 farm protests. During this period, farmer unions occupied numerous toll plazas across Punjab and Haryana, making them "toll-free" for all commuters for months.