With the government still undecided on two of its four key demands, the farmers’ unions opposed the new agricultural laws On Saturday he threatened to lead a rally of tractors in Delhi on January 26 if the demands are not met by then.
The government and farmers’ unions are scheduled to meet again on January 4 to decide on demands to repeal the three recently enacted farm laws and the provision of a legal guarantee on the minimum purchase support price; Farmers unions are pushing for a central MSP law to be enacted, covering 23 crops in the country.
At its last meeting on December 30, the Center agreed to “decriminalize” stubble burning by excluding farmers from the scope of the ‘Commission for the Management of Air Quality in the National Capital Region and the Adjoining Areas Ordinance 2020 ‘, and remove those provisions from the draft. Electricity Amendment Bill, 2020, which aims to change the existing mode of payment of subsidies to consumers.
The Samyukt Kisan Union, the body that brings together farmers’ unions camping outside Delhi to press their demands, told reporters on Saturday that if all their demands are not met by January 26, the British Prime Minister , Boris Johnson, will be the main guest of the event. This year’s Republic Day celebrations: Farmers will lead a tractor parade “peacefully and without violence” in Delhi and across the country.
The press conference was led by Jagjit Singh Dallewal, President of BKU (Sidhupur); Darshanpal, President of the Krantikari Kisan Union; Balbir Singh Rajewal, President of BKU (Rajewal); Gurnam Singh Chaduni, President of BKU (Chaduni); Ashok Dhawale, National President of Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sabha; Abhimanyu Kohad of Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Mazdoor Mahasangh; and Yogendra Yadav, President of Swaraj India.
“If by January 26, the government does not comply with the demands, farmers protesting on the Delhi borders will lead a parade of trams / tractors in Delhi peacefully and non-violently. These marches will also be held in all state and district capitals, ”said Darshanpal.
Balbir Singh Rajewal said: “Our way (of protesting) will be peaceful and non-violent, as we have been, and always will be. If the police want to use any violent method against us when we enter, they can do so. “
An action plan for the month was also announced. “If talks with the government are unsuccessful on January 4, farmers will organize a march or parade on the KMP highway from the Singhu border, and the Shahjahanpur protesters will move towards Delhi,” said Darshanpal.
The tractor / cart rallies will be held January 6-20 as part of Desh Jagriti Abhiyan to counter “the lies that are being spread… about the aims and intent of the farmers movement. We will be breaking lies that we are Khalistani, intermediaries, ”Rajewal said.
On January 13, which is Lohri, copies of the laws of the three farms will be burned as a symbolic protest. To honor women farmers and protesters, on January 18 she will be celebrated as Mahila Kisan Diwas.
“On January 23rd, the anniversary of the birth of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, we will celebrate Azad Kisan Diwas. We will organize farmer protests in front of the official governors’ residences in all state capitals. Governors represent the central government in all states, ”said Darshanpal.
Chaduni said that the enactment of a central MSP Law, covering 23 crops in the country, is one of the main demands of farmers. “In the last decades, farmers have lost 3-4 million lakh rupees because they have not been paid according to the MSP. Setting up MSP and buying according to MSP are two very different things. We demand a central MSP Law, ”he said.
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