MSP, loan waiver, labour codes: Farmers' body announces nationwide stir from August 10
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Monday announced a phased nationwide agitation beginning August 10, with farmers planning protests at more than 1,000 locations before
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Monday announced a phased nationwide agitation beginning August 10, with farmers planning protests at more than 1,000 locations before launching marches and multi-day mass actions in Delhi and around 100 places across the country from November 26. The farmers' platform said the agitation would continue until the Centre accepts its seven principal demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP), a comprehensive farm loan waiver and repeal of the four labour codes. Read Full Story The first phase will see 'Jail Bharo', 'Rail Roko' and 'Road Roko' protests from August 10. SKM leaders said more than 1,000 centres had been identified for the initial round of agitation. Announcing the programme at a press conference in New Delhi, SKM Coordination Committee member Avik Saha said the organisation had spent the past five years trying to persuade the government to implement written assurances given after the repeal of the three farm laws. "Five years have passed. It is not that we did not try. We also went to the Leader of the Opposition (Rahul Gandhi), but nothing happened. There was not even a discussion in Parliament.
The country has now seen that when required, Parliament comes to the streets. We will speak to them on the streets," Saha said. AUGUST 10 PROTESTS, NOVEMBER 26 ESCALATION The SKM said its programme was finalised at its All India Convention in Delhi on July 28, attended by around 1,200 delegates, followed by the Convention of Workers and Farmers on July 29, which drew nearly 5,000 leaders of trade unions and farmers' organisations. On August 17, SKM delegations will meet MPs, MLAs, chief ministers and opposition leaders to submit their charter of demands, Saha said. The agitation will then expand through state conventions, mass padyatras, vehicle jathas, tractor marches, public meetings, mahapanchayats and state-level rallies. The next major escalation is planned from November 26, when farmers will hold kisan marches and multi-day mass actions in Delhi and around 100 locations across the country. Saha said the November protests would continue until all seven principal demands were accepted. WHAT ARE THE FARMERS DEMANDING? The SKM's demands include a law guaranteeing MSP based on the Farmers' Commission formula, along with assured procurement for all crops. The organisation is also seeking a comprehensive farm loan waiver, repeal of the four labour codes, restoration of MGNREGA with 200 days of work and a daily wage of Rs 700, withdrawal of the Electricity Privatisation Bill and Seed Bill, and amendments to the Food Security Act.
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