On the 24th of September, the farmers of Punjab called for ‘rail roko padi’ protest against the two farmers’ bills.
Recently, proposed by the Central Government, two farmer’s bills were passed in the upper and the lower houses, the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha, respectively.
Raising voice against the bills, farmers in Punjab would organise a three day ‘rail roko’ agitation starting from the 24th of September.
Farmers and the opposition parties are protesting against the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 and the Farming Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020.
According to the passed bills, the Minimum Support Price (MSP,) area of trading and others would be under the Indian Government
The reason behind farmers’ protest is fear of being on the mercy of corporates or zamindars for crop prices. The new bills would also demolish Minimum Support Price (MSP) advantages from farmers.
Meanwhile, the Central Government assured the MSP system will continue unchanged and the new bills will result in higher profits for the farmers.
Sarwan Singh Pandher, the General Secretary of Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, said, “We have decided to hold a ‘rail roko’ agitation from September 24 to 26 in the State (Punjab) against the farm bills.”
In addition another farmers’ organisation called for a state wide ‘bandh’ on the 25th of September.
The farmers bills would not be an act until the President of India gives his assent and approves the bills.
Stay tuned for further updates.
