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Tag: Farm Bills 2020

  • In message from Bengal, Haryana BKU chief tells farmers of Singur agitation

    IN A video message to farmers, recorded at Singur in poll-bound West Bengal, the place cultivators had fought a protracted battle in opposition to pressured land acquisition over a decade in the past, Haryana BKU chief Gurnam Singh Chaduni on Sunday mentioned, “We have to fight (for our land) and make sacrifices at each and every point”.
    “I am standing on that land of Singur today which was bought by a corporate at thrownaway prices. On this issue, a big agitation was launched. Many farmers got martyrdom and after it, that corporate had to run away while leaving this land. The farmers had got this land freed after a long struggle. This is the revolutionary land, land of martyrs,” he mentioned.
    Claiming that “the corporates want to capture land of entire country”, Chaduni requested farmers to be taught from the agitation.
    Another BKU chief, Rakesh Bains, mentioned, “Singur is a big example for us where the farmers have not got their land till now. The same corporate is victimising them. Our agitation against three farm laws is also against similar policies of capitalists…”

    Chaduni is in Bengal to tell voters about farmers’ ongoing battle in opposition to the three farm legal guidelines. He and different farm leaders are additionally urging folks to not vote for BJP within the Assembly elections.
    The anti-land acquisition actions in Singur and Nandigram by then Opposition chief Mamata Banerjee had resulted within the ouster of the Left authorities in 2011.
    The farmer leaders allege the three farm legal guidelines too are “meant to facilitate the corporates to grab land of farmers”.
    Haryana farm chief Suresh Koth, who lately returned after spending two days in Bengal, mentioned, “You see the history. Whoever committed atrocities on farmers or tried to grab their land, has always witnessed political downfall…”

  • Intervened to cease arrest of Rakesh Tikait: Meghalaya Governor Satya Pal Malik

    Meghalaya Governor Satya Pal Malik on Sunday urged the federal government to not use drive towards farmers protesting towards the brand new farm legal guidelines and claimed that he had intervened to make sure that farmer chief Rakesh Tikait was not arrested.
    Addressing a felicitation ceremony in Baghpat’s Sheelchand Inter College, he acknowledged that the federal government ought to pay heed to calls for of the farmers.
    Malik mentioned he had requested the Home Ministry to not hurt the protesters at Delhi borders. “I requested both PM and HM that they should not send the farmers back empty-handed. And that they should not use force against them. The Sikhs will remember it for 300 years. The day there was talk of Tikait (BKU leader Rakesh Tikait) being arrested, I intervened at 11 pm, making sure it didn’t happen,” he mentioned.
    “I recently met a journalist who is close to the PM. I told him I have already tried, it’s now his turn to explain that it’s a bad move to send back farmers by putting pressure on them and humiliating them. They have not come to go back. If they go back, they will remember it for 300 years. They want a guarantee on MSP. If the government gives MSP a legal backing, the protest will end,” mentioned Malik.

    The Governor mentioned he was suggested by folks to not communicate up however he couldn’t maintain himself again. “Governors are meant to stay silent… They have to rest and not do any work. They are expected to not say anything but it is my habit to speak up. When I saw what was happening to the farmers, I couldn’t stop myself from speaking up,” mentioned Malik.

    Malik hails from Baghpat and was appointed Governor of Meghalaya after serving on the identical submit in J&Ok when the erstwhile state’s particular standing was revoked. “When Article 370 was repealed, I was there as Governor, I had a duty that I handle things… Farooq Abdullah had said there will be a bloodbath. (Mehbooba) Mufti had said no one will hold the national flag… But the government showed courage. We didn’t have to fire a single bullet and not even a bird was harmed. I carried out my duty,” he mentioned.

  • Farm legal guidelines defined: Time to finish misconceptions and break deadlock

    Image Source : PTI Farmers collect at Singhu border throughout their sit-in protest in opposition to the Centres farm reform legal guidelines, in New Delhi.
    When the farmers launched the ‘Delhi Chalo’ protest on 26 November 2020, nobody had anticipated the agitation in opposition to the farm legal guidelines to proceed for 72 lengthy days. But it has not solely reached a stalemate between the farmer leaders and the federal government but in addition has snowballed right into a notion warfare threatening to disrupt the picture of India. 
    After the Rihanna and Greta Thunberg episode, the federal government has despatched out a powerful message advising the celebrities and others to chorus from giving in to the temptation and sensationalism on social media and making inaccurate and irresponsible statements and hashtags. 
    On the again of it got here the US administration’s blended remarks which welcomed farm reforms hailing the peaceable protests but known as for unhindered entry to info and web on the protest websites after authorities restrictions within the wake of the Republic Day incidents.
    Taking a agency stand, India reminded the United States of the rioting on the Capitol Hill on 6 January 2021 and stated that the 26 January violence on the Red Fort can also be being addressed as per the legislation of the nation.
    Essentially, in a pandemic time with the essential vaccination drive underway, the federal government appears to be following a two-pronged technique to finish the impasse: reaching out to the farmers to bridge the belief deficit on the farm legal guidelines and beating the disruptive forces which can be making an attempt to make the most of the scenario.
    The farmer unions, nevertheless, are adamant on the repeal of three farm legal guidelines and search a assure on the retention of Minimum Support Price (MSP). As issues stand, the federal government, together with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has repeatedly assured the farmers that the MSP system will proceed. But the farmers need it hardwired in legislation, even though MSP has at all times been part of administrative choices, not an act. 
    On the implementation of the contentious farm legal guidelines, the Supreme Court has ordered a keep hoping that it’ll finish the protest. But it didn’t repay. Eleven rounds of talks between the Centre and farm leaders have didn’t make any breakthrough. Even the Centre’s proposal to droop implementation of the legal guidelines was rejected by the farm union leaders. 

    The irony is that the federal government believed the brand new farm legal guidelines will double farmers’ earnings by 2022, however they aren’t prepared to purchase them. 
    WHAT ARE THE THREE FARM LAWS
    First farm legislation, titled ‘The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020′, offers with the commerce areas of farmers’ produce. It permits sale and buy of farm produce outdoors the premises of APMC mandis with none market price, cess or levy. It consists of digital buying and selling and e-commerce of farm produce.
    The act might harm the pursuits of middlemen and have an effect on state coffers, under no circumstances the farmers. But this legislation is a significant bone of rivalry. The protesters imagine that after the legislation comes into impact the agricultural produce market committees (APMCs) might be abolished ending their MSP advantages as properly.
    Second farm legislation, named ‘Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020’, offers a authorized framework for contract farming. In which the farmers can enter into agreements with agri-business companies, retailers or exporters for his or her produce at a mutually agreed worth earlier than the planting seasons. The act additionally outlines a dispute redressal mechanism however the farmers have points with some clauses. Though, the federal government has promised to look into the clauses. The farmers need the legislation to go. 
    Third farm legislation is an modification to an current act known as ‘Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020’. The legislation scraps the Centre’s powers to impose stock-holding limits on meals objects like cereals, pulses, potato, onion, edible oilseeds and oils, eradicating them from the record of important commodities, besides underneath extraordinary circumstances or in case of a steep worth hike. The legislation will not have an effect on the farmers adversely. But together with the primary two legal guidelines, the farmers should not prepared to simply accept this additionally.
    Now one can solely hope that the subsequent spherical of talks between the Centre and farmers break the deadlock. Before that, there’s an pressing have to dial down the temperature within the nationwide capital. On the opposite, the farmer unions have known as for a national ‘Chakka Jam’ on 6 February. And the protesters don’t appear in a temper to relent.
    (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed on this article are these of the creator. They don’t replicate the views of India TV )
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  • Freelance journalist arrested for ‘misbehaving’ with police at Singhu border

    A contract journalist was arrested from the Singhu border on Sunday for allegedly misbehaving with the police personnel on obligation on the farmers’ protest web site there, officers mentioned.
    A case was registered towards him and he has been arrested now, a senior police officer mentioned, a day after the scribe was detained.
    Police had earlier mentioned that they positioned barricades on the border following the violence on Friday to make sure that nobody may get by way of. However, some folks together with the journalist have been making an attempt to take away the barricades, the police had alleged, including the scribe additionally misbehaved with the police personnel there.

    On Friday on the Singhu border, there have been clashes between farmers and a big group of males claiming to be native residents who hurled stones at one another. Singhu border is without doubt one of the most important protest websites towards the brand new farm legal guidelines.
    Delhi Police SHO (Alipur) was injured within the violence. At least 44 folks, together with the person who attacked the SHO, have been arrested in reference to the incident.

  • India’s new farm legal guidelines have potential to lift farm revenue: IMF Chief Gopinath

    India’s recently-enacted agri legal guidelines have the potential to extend farmers’ revenue, however there’s a want to offer a social security web to the weak cultivators, IMF’s Chief Economist Gita Gopinath has stated.
    Indian agriculture is in want of reforms, she stated.
    There are a number of areas the place the reforms are wanted, together with infrastructure, the Chief Economist of the Washington-based international monetary establishment stated on Tuesday.
    Farmers protesting on the Singh Border in New Delhi. (Express Photo by Amit Mehra)
    The three agri legal guidelines, enacted in September final yr, have been projected by the Indian authorities as main reforms within the agriculture sector that can take away middlemen and permit farmers to promote their produce wherever within the nation.
    Gopinath, in response to a query on the brand new farm legal guidelines, stated: “These particular farm laws were in the area of marketing. It was widening the market for farmers. Being able to sell to multiple outlets besides the Mandis without having to pay a tax. And this had the potential to raise, in our view, farmers’ incomes”.

    “That said, every time a reform is put in place, there are transition costs. One has to make sure and pay close attention that it’s not harming vulnerable farmers, to make sure that the social safety net is provided. Clearly there is a discussion right now and we’ll see what comes out if it,” she stated.
    Farmer leaders with Cabinet ministers at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. (Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)
    Thousands of farmers in India, principally from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been tenting at a number of Delhi border factors since November 28 final yr, demanding a repeal of the farm legal guidelines and a authorized assure on Minimum Support Price (MSP) for his or her crops.
    Protesting farmers maintain a convention on the Singh Border in New Delhi. (Express Photo by Gajendra Yadav)
    So far, 11 rounds of talks have taken place between the federal government and farmer leaders with either side hardening their positions.
    In the final spherical of talks, the federal government supplied to droop the legal guidelines for 1-1.5 years and type a joint committee to search out options, in return for protesting farmers going again to their respective properties from Delhi borders.
    Farmer leaders, nevertheless, stated they’d accept nothing lower than an entire repeal of the legal guidelines, which they discover pro-corporate, and a authorized assure for the procurement of crops at government-fixed MSP.

    The Samkyukt Kisan Morcha, an umbrella physique of 41 farmer unions, is main the protest in opposition to the three central farm legal guidelines at a number of border factors of Delhi.

    Tuesday’s tractor parade in New Delhi, which was to focus on the calls for of the farmer unions to repeal three new agri legal guidelines, dissolved into anarchy on the streets of the town as tens of 1000’s of protesters broke via boundaries, fought with police, overturned automobiles and hoisted a non secular flag from the ramparts of the long-lasting Red Fort.

    The Kisan Morcha has disassociated itself from those that indulged in violence through the tractor parade and alleged that some “antisocial elements” infiltrated their in any other case peaceable motion.

  • Farm payments have potential to symbolize important step ahead for agricultural reforms in India: IMF

    Image Source : PTI Farm payments have potential to symbolize important step ahead for agricultural reforms in India: IMF
    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) believes the farm payments handed by the Indian authorities have the potential to symbolize a big step ahead for agricultural reforms, a spokesperson of the organisation stated.

    There is, nevertheless, a have to strengthen the social security web for individuals who is perhaps adversely affected by the transition to the brand new system, Gerry Rice, Director of Communications at IMF, stated at a information convention in Washington on Thursday.

    “We believe the farm bills do have the potential to represent a significant step forward for agricultural reforms in India,” Rice stated.

    “The measures will enable farmers to directly contract with sellers, allow farmers to retain a greater share of the surplus by reducing the role of middlemen, enhance efficiency and support rural growth,” he added.

    “However, it is crucial that the social safety net adequately protects those who might be adversely impacted during the transition to this new system,” the spokesperson stated responding to a query on the continued protests by farmers in opposition to the legal guidelines within the nation.

    This might be executed by guaranteeing that the job market accommodates these which are impacted by the reforms, he stated.

    “And of course, the growth benefits of these reforms will depend, critically, on the effectiveness and the timing of their implementation, so need to pay attention to those issues as well with the reform,” Rice stated.
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  • Among ‘farmers’ who get AAP assist in sending notices to Kangana, BJP MPs, 4 are occasion staff

    The AAP has offered authorized help to 5 “aggrieved farmers” to ship authorized notices for defamation to actress Kangana Ranaut, Union Minister Raosaheb Danve and BJP MPs Ravi Kishan, Manoj Tiwari and Ramesh Bidhuri.
    However, a number of of those ‘farmers’ have turned out to be AAP staff. One such ‘farmer’ who has been helped to ship authorized discover, Narinder Singh Shergill, is an AAP member and has contested Assembly elections from Mohali and the parliamentary polls from Ropar constituency.
    Another individual, who has despatched the authorized discover to Kangana Ranaut, is Jeevan Jyot Kaur who can also be related to the Mahila wing of AAP.
    A 3rd ‘farmer’ claimed to have helped to ship a authorized discover is Gurinder Singh Birring who, too, has been related to AAP and was a part of its conflict room for 2017 Assembly polls.
    A fourth ‘farmer’, Sukhwinder Paul Sukhi, who has despatched authorized discover to BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, can also be learnt to be related to AAP in Mansa.
    So out of 5 so-called farmers whom the AAP claims to have helped ship authorized notices for defamation, 4 are actively related to the occasion.
    AAP Punjab co-incharge Raghav Chadha, who introduced the despatch of authorized notices right here on Saturday, defended the names of occasion staff amongst those that have despatched authorized notices. “One or two of them may be associated with the party but they are farmers too,” he stated.
    He stated that the farmers had been requesting the Narendra Modi-led Central authorities to hearken to them, however in flip have been solely abused. “It is because of the sacrifices made by a farmer and his family that food reaches our homes, our plates, and we are able to eat to our heart’s content. If someone abuses an honest farmer, it is similar to abusing Mother India,” he added.
    Chadha stated that the BJP leaders at completely different occasions described the farmers as terrorists, anti-nationals, goondas, dalaals, brokers of Pakistan and China. “Does our farmer look like a terrorist? I would like to tell the BJP that our farmers have had enough. They are done with being maligned and abused. They now want to knock at the doors of justice, and we truly believe that victory would be theirs,” he stated.
    “It is evident that the entire BJP is categorically and strategically working to destroy and discredit the farmers’ movement with their relentless abuse,” he added. He stated that the false and frivolous propaganda in opposition to the farmers was unbecoming on the a part of these behind the propaganda. Chadha stated that the AAP vows to face with the farmers of this nation of their battle and can present them help until the BJP leaders are punished.
    Chadha stated that over 20 BJP leaders, together with Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Giriraj Singh, MP Manoj Tiwari, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, BJP’s National General Secretary Ram Madhav and several other others, had allegedly used unparliamentary language and hurled filthy abuses on the farmers. He stated that after notices to some BJP leaders final month, recent notices have been issued to a Bollywood actress, BJP’s MPs and Union minister.
    Chadha stated actress Kangana Ranaut was served a discover for her ‘derogatory’ remarks by Jeevan Jyot Kaur, “a farmer from Amritsar”. Kangana by her tweet had known as the aged mom of a farmer as a girl out there for Rs 100.

    Similarly, on December 3, MP Manoj Tiwari had stated that ‘tukde-tukde’ gang was attempting to experiment with Shaheen Bagh 2.0 and ‘create unrest in the garb of farmers’ protest’. Taking objection to such accusations, ‘farmer’ Sukhwinder Paul Sukhi from Mansa district had filed a defamation case in opposition to Tiwari, in search of unconditional apology and unambiguous withdrawal of the derogatory statements, Chadha stated.
    Another ‘farmer’ from Patiala, Gurinder Singh Birring, had issued a discover to MP Ravi Kishan for his assertion on December 17 that the farmers’ protests have been being funded by Pakistan, China and Canada, Chadha stated.

  • Before bringing in agri reforms, stage the taking part in discipline for farmers

    Written by Jaimal Shergill
    We should liberalize farming in India, in order that it turns into aggressive and our farmers have entry not simply to the home, however the worldwide market as effectively.
    Before we do this, nonetheless, we have to see if there’s a stage taking part in discipline for agricultural merchandise globally. In 2019, US farmers acquired subsidies value Rs 165 lakh crore.
    While the US subsidies evaluate favourably with India’s Rs 120 lakh crore agricultural subsidies, the upper inhabitants and proportion of agriculturalists in India, means the subsidy per farmer continues to be paltry. According to India Centre for WTO Studies working paper, the home assist for every farmer in Canada is Rs 5.56 lakh, within the US Rs 5.44 lakh and Rs 8,175 in China.
    Compare this with the assist per farmer of Rs 3,675 in India, which is lower than half of China and 150 occasions lower than that of a Canadian farmer.
    The developed world farmer additionally has entry to a number of the finest training, free or backed healthcare, low rate of interest financing, world class know-how in seeds, mapping, soil testing, fertiliser inputs and the newest specialised farming gear.
    If the federal government have been to impose import tariffs based mostly on the value help and subsidies supplied by nation of origin, solely then, would we start to stage the sphere for our farmers.
    The personal sectors’ thirst for reasonable produce is clear even within the US. In 1915, a farmer acquired an inflation adjusted $250 per metric tonne for wheat.
    100 years later, with nice developments in seed high quality, fertilisers, farming strategies and personal sector-led industrial farming; the value of wheat was lower than $50 per metric tonne.
    The personal sector led by the ABCD (ADM, Bunge, Cargill, and Dreyfus) of business agriculture are very environment friendly at lowering costs by way of beneficial regulation, lobbied by their oligopoly, adoption of know-how and economies of scale. This is why the US farmer is getting large value help on many agri-products – 75 per cent for sugar, 60 per cent for cotton, 40 per cent for milk and 25 per cent for rice.
    Why is it fallacious for our farmers to proceed getting value help by way of the MSP?
    On the face of it, the MSP of wheat rose from Rs 1,526 per quintal in 2015-16, to Rs 1,925 per quintal in 2019-2020 – a powerful improve of 26 per cent over six years.
    However, it amounted to a rise of 4.36 per cent each year effectively beneath the common client value inflation (CPI) of 5.26 per cent for a similar interval. While a 0.9 per cent distinction between MSP and CPI doesn’t appear a lot, it signifies that items and providers for farmers grew to become 20.63 per cent costlier every year.
    Over a five-year interval, farmers’ revenue would, thus, be capable to purchase lower than half of what they did in 2015. Our personal ‘desi’ triumvirate (Reliance, Adani and Bombay Burmah Trading Limited) the RABBL have learnt the agricultural alphabet from ABCD and can intention to drive down pricing, whereas inflation will stealthily erode any remaining revenue and wealth.
    A as soon as steady a part of society particularly alongside our borders, shall be changed into a disaffected inhabitants liable to overseas meddling.
    Food safety is nationwide safety, are we prepared to have our nationwide safety dictated by the RABBL?
    Once the federal government and personal sector have a greater resolution for the poor farmer, deal with societal and nationwide safety considerations, then these reforms could also be welcome.
    In passing the agricultural Acts by way of sleight of hand, the Government misplaced sight, or felt too entitled to supply any concrete justifications.
    Farmers would have applauded if, as a part of rejuvenation of Aayush in India, we have been transferring the nation in direction of indigenous seeds and natural value-added farming. Due to their well being advantages, natural crops command a better value than the MSP. Thus, laying the groundwork for the Government’s argument that the personal sector would give higher pricing to farmers.
    Alternatively, farmers ought to have been given a option to proceed with their present farming strategies and obtain MSP with authorized safeguards.
    With 41.5 per cent of the workforce in India employed in agriculture, the denial of their basic proper to strategy courts as said within the Acts, is another excuse the farmers don’t assist the legislations.
    In the absence of like-for-like value help programmes, nation of origin tariffs, personal sector assist for natural farming, renegotiations of WTO AMS entitlements, social security nets and nationwide safety implications, the federal government has dealt itself a particularly poor hand.
    Lest we neglect, the little kids of farmers type a disproportionate a part of the armed forces and Paramilitary Forces and lots of farmers are themselves ex-servicemen. Outside of the armed forces, they type essentially the most hardened and disciplined cadre in India.
    While the politicians, bureaucrat lackeys, pliant media and their paymasters sit smugly of their starched shirts on the poker desk making an attempt to bluff, the farmers have organized for a battle to stage the sphere. They have little to lose, have the numbers and the abdomen to grapple.
    The Government already has its again to the bottom and may put together for crumpled shirts, bruised egos and backtracking from the rumble within the ‘Dangal’.

  • No headway, Govt desires us to go to SC or kind panel: Farmer unions; subsequent spherical of talks Jan 15

    Talks between the Centre and farmer unions against the brand new agriculture legal guidelines did not make headway Friday after the unions insisted on repeal of the legal guidelines, solely to be instructed by the federal government to “suggest an alternative other than repeal”.
    While the 2 sides agreed to take a seat throughout the desk once more on January 15, all eyes are actually on the Supreme Court the place listening to on a clutch of petitions is scheduled January 11.
    Leaders of the unions claimed they had been instructed by the federal government to go to the Supreme Court or kind a committee with representatives of the 2 sides.
    Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Minister of State Som Prakash, who together with Food Minister Piyush Goyal have been negotiating with the farmers, mentioned reference to the Supreme Court listening to on January 11 did come up through the talks.
    Last month, the Supreme Court, whereas noting that the Centre’s talks with farmer teams didn’t look like yielding outcomes, had mentioned it could kind a committee comprising representatives of the Centre and farmers organisations to try to resolve the deadlock – farmer unions, the bulk from Punjab, have been tenting on the gates of Delhi since November 26.
    Two days in the past, a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India S A Bobde posted the matter to January 11 after Attorney General Okay Okay Venugopal instructed the court docket that “there are chances of the parties coming to some sort of an understanding”.

    Emerging from the assembly Friday, Tomar mentioned: “The discussions today were related to the three laws, but no decision could be reached. The government repeatedly requested the unions to suggest an alternative other than the repeal, and the government would consider it. But even after a long discussion, no alternative was presented. Therefore, the discussion was adjourned today.”

    “They (farmer leaders) will discuss among themselves. We will also discuss among ourselves. I hope we will be able to find a solution at the next meeting on 15th,” he mentioned.
    Responding to questions from reporters, Tomar mentioned whereas the federal government didn’t inform the farmer unions to go away the matter to the Supreme Court, the January 11 listening to did come up through the talks.
    “We are citizens of a democratic country and in our democracy, if a law is passed by Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, then the Honourable Supreme Court, naturally, has the right to analyse. Be it a citizen or the government, there is commitment to the Supreme Court. So, this topic came up because the Supreme Court has fixed 11th as the date (of hearing). The government is committed to any decision of the Supreme Court, whichever direction it may be in,” he mentioned.
    Asked whether or not the federal government was able to kind a casual group of farmer unions and the federal government, Tomar mentioned: “Many such matters are discussed at meetings, but this has not yet happened.”

    To one other question on whether or not the federal government would take into account a proposal to let states resolve the implementation of the legal guidelines, Tomar mentioned no such proposal has been made by any farmer chief, but when such a suggestion does come, the federal government will take a name then.
    Minister of State Som Prakash too mentioned the January 11 listening to within the Supreme Court was talked about through the talks. “It came up during discussions… We discussed several things. Farmers were adamant on the demand for repeal of laws,” he mentioned.
    Baldev Singh Nihalgarh, Punjab basic secretary of the All India Kisan Sabha, described the talks as “very disappointing”.
    “I have been part of all eight meetings, but today’s meeting was very disappointing. Discussions did not take place very well. The government side gave two suggestions — go to the Supreme Court or form a small committee, which we have already rejected. We will not go to the court… We have told the government that our agitation will continue,” Nihalgarh mentioned.
    Kulwant Singh Bhangu, president of All India Kisan Federation, mentioned: “As expected, today’s meeting too did not yield any result. At the January 4 meeting, we were told that talks will start on the repeal procedure, but the Agriculture Minister told us again that the laws are very good and we should go for amendments. They also told us to wait for the Supreme Court hearing on January 11 as it is a constitutional matter and farmers too can approach the court with their demands. But when they continued to speak on benefits of the laws, we told them that we are not keen to discuss this subject.”

    “Regarding the Supreme Court hearing, eight unions, including BKU Dakaunda, BKU Rajewal, BKU Lakhowal, BKU Tikait, All India Kisan Federation, Jamhoori Kisan Sabha, Doaba Kisan Sabha, are respondents in the matter. Our lawyers will be going to court on Monday, let us see what happens. However, if any direction is against us, we will protest,” he mentioned.
    Kulwant Singh, president of Jamhoori Kisan Sabha, mentioned: “I wonder why the government is so keen to wait until the Supreme Court hearing… They even suggested that we approach the court for repeal, and with day-to-day hearing, we can get a quick decision. They said they can’t repeal the laws as it will set a wrong precedent.”

    Jagmohan Singh Patiala, working committee member of the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), mentioned: “It was back to square one today. Besides asking us to approach the Supreme Court, they also told us to form an informal committee in which representatives of government, farmers will be there to decide on the laws. But we have rejected both proposals.”
    Darshan Pal of Krantikari Kisan Union mentioned: “We are not keen to move the Supreme Court for the repeal of the three laws, and want this matter to be discussed across the table.”

  • Farmer Tractor March: On KMP Expressway, present of unity, self-discipline

    In a present of power, self-discipline and unity, Haryana farmers atop hundreds of tractors joined the tractor march on Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway and numerous different components of the state Thursday. Calling this a “trailer” of Republic Day’s ‘Tractor Parade’, the farmers made it clear they weren’t going to retreat within the ongoing battle in opposition to three controversial farm legal guidelines.
    Tractors, way more in quantity that what was estimated by police, moved to the expressway from totally different sides. The motion of a protracted cavalcade of tractors have been seen on roads in Haryana from morning to night on Thursday. Long tractor marches have been undertaken on nationwide highways and native roads. Farmers from neighbouring areas moved to the KMP with tricolour and flags of kisan unions. Despite participation of numerous tractors, the self-discipline proven by the agitators even impressed the policemen on obligation to keep up legislation and order. Volunteers have been managing the motion of tractors by giving essential directions to their drivers.

    Songs associated to farmers and freedom battle have been sung to spice up the morale of the agitators. At many locations, ladies have been on the driver’s seat of tractors.
    At Aashodha village of Jhajjar, tractors have been coming from Tikri border and villages of Haryana to get on the KMP Expressway. On Thursday morning, “dholwalas” welcomed protesting farmers, who raised slogans in opposition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi whereas demanding repeal of the farm legal guidelines.

    In Jind district, the farmers had recognized a stretch of practically 50 km to take out a tractor march. Apart from transferring on native roads, they even coated some kilometres on nationwide highways of Jind-Patiala and Hisar-Chandigarh. The tractor march was carried out in Sirsa city after farmers moved to the city from Bajekan village of the district. An identical tractor march was undertaken in Loharu city of Bhiwani district. A cavalcade of tractors led by unbiased MLA from Haryana’s Meham constituency, Balraj Kundu, too went to KMP Expressway. “The central government should understand the mood of ‘annadata’ by seeing today’s tractor march,” mentioned Kundu.

    “This is the first time movement of tractors on such a scale has been seen on Haryana’s roads,” mentioned Rishi Saini, a political observer from Hisar. “Other sections of society too are coming out to support the farmers, with a feeling of guilt emerging among those who were watching the agitation from a distance till now. Now, they want to contribute to the agitation by offering food grains, vegetables, milk and funds. If the agitation keeps going on for a few days more, all those who eat wheat and rice may become part of this agitation in one or other form,” claimed Saini.

    Abhay Chautala strikes to Delhi border
    Meanwhile, MLA and senior INLD chief Abhay Singh Chautala too has moved to the Delhi border from Sirsa district in a cavalcade of tractors. The cavalcade had reached Hansi city of Hisar district Thursday night and can transfer to Delhi Friday morning. On the opposite hand, Haryana Congress president Kumari Selja Thursday reached the Masani barrage of Rewari and Kheda-Shahjahanpur border to help the farmers’ motion. “In this fight against the anti-agriculture black laws, the BJP government and their few capitalist friends are on one side, whereas the whole country stands by more than 60 crore farmers and crores of labourers associated with the agriculture sector. Constant efforts are being made by the BJP government to crush this movement, but the farmers are united in opposing these laws. Through these laws, the BJP government has made full arrangements to enslave the farmers,” allged Selja.

    The BJP has been blaming the Congress for deceptive the farmers on the difficulty of farm legal guidelines insisting the legal guidelines have been launched for the welfare of farming group.