Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Dec.7: The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) is set to convene a major meeting on Tuesday at Delhi’s Singhu border to debate whether to stop the over-a-year-old agitation, among other problems, only days after Parliament repealed three unpopular farm regulations.
The SKM, an umbrella body of 40 farm unions, has been demanding legal backing for, among other things, the Minimum Support Price (MSP), the withdrawal of cases against farmers’ families since last year, and compensation to farmers’ families who died in the last year during agitation, since before the government announced to repeal the laws.
The farmers’ protest for their unmet requests will continue, according to the organisation, which has yet to get a response from the government. Last month, the government contacted farmers, asking them to recommend five names for the committee.
Despite the fact that the government repealed the laws and requested a five-member team to hold negotiations, the SKM claims that the government has yet to provide a formal assurance on the ongoing issues.
Members of the five-member committee include farmer leaders Ashok Dhawale, Gurnam Singh Chaduni, Shiv Kumar Kaka, Yudhvir Singh, and Balbir Singh Rawal.
On November 29, the administration overturned the three agriculture laws.
Demands of SKM:
- MSP based on the whole cost of production (C2+50%) should be declared a legal entitlement for all farmers for all agricultural products.
- Withdraw the Centre’s planned Electricity Act Amendment Bill, 2020/2021.
- Remove the provisions in the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021 that penalise farmers.
- Cases against hundreds of farmers arrested during the demonstration in Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, and other states should be dropped immediately.
- Ajay Mishra, the Union Minister of State for Home, should be removed from the Union Council of Ministers and arrested in connection with the violence in Lakhimpur Kheri.
- Approximately 700 farmers died as a result of the agitation. Compensation and rehabilitation should be provided to their families. A monument in commemoration of the martyred farmers should be built on land near the Singhu boundary.
