Farmer leaders at Singh border addressed a press conference and announced they would completely block Chilla border between Delhi and Noida on December 16, 2020., reported Times Now.
Farmers' Protest Highlights: The Delhi Chalo farmers' protest at border points in New Delhi has entered the 20th day today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet members of the farming community, including Sikh cultivators in Gujarat, during a visit to Kutch district today. Modi, who will be on a day-long visit to his home state, will hold discussions with farmers of Kutch district at the venue. A group of Sikh farmers, settled in areas near the Indo-Pak border, has been invited for an interaction with the PM, said a release by the state government's Information Department. Farmers have so far rejected the government's offer of amendments in the new agriculture reform laws and a written assurance on continuing the MSP system. Union Minister Kailash Choudhary has said that the government will soon decide a date and call union leaders for the next round of talks. Previous five rounds of talks between the central government and representatives of 40 farmer unions remained inconclusive. Farmers have said that the protest will continue until their demands are met and the laws are scrapped. They fear that the new laws will dismantle the minimum support price (MSP) system and corporatise farming.
Farmer leaders at Singh border addressed a press conference and announced they would completely block Chilla border between Delhi and Noida on December 16, 2020., reported Times Now.
Around 20 farmers become 'shaheed' during protest so far. On average, one farmer has died every day since protest started: Farmer leaders.(PTI)
Uttar Pradesh Cooperative Minister Mukut Bihari Verma on December 14 said the opposition parties have joined together in the protest against the three central farm laws because they have become frustrated due to the results of all recent elections in favour of the BJP. The opposition along with some farmers’ leaders have realised that their survival would be at stake if they do not agitate against the BJP on one or the other pretext.
"Those who are protesting should be asked what is wrong with the farm laws. They are not ready to tell it because they do not know about these laws. If they are asked to talk, they are not ready. They are united because they are disappointed seeing the results of all the recent elections in favour of the BJP," Verma told reporters. (PTI)
Farmers'protest resulting in daily loss of Rs 3,500 crore: Assocham
Industry body Assocham on December 15 urged the Centre and farmers'organisations to resolve the impasse over the new agri laws, saying that the protests are inflicting a heavy blow to the economies of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and J&K.
"A daily loss of Rs 3,000-3,500 crore is resulting in the economies of the region from the value chain and transport disruption because of the protests," according to a rough estimate by the chamber.
A number of 'khaps' in UP's Muzaffarnagar have extended support to the farmers' agitation against the Centre's new agri laws and will join the ongoing protests at Delhi's border points on December 17.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the chiefs of 'khaps' (caste councils) held on Monday at Shoram village in the Shahpur police station area here, Subhash Balyan, secretary of All Khap council, said.
Opposition to agri laws politically-motivated: Devendra Fadnavis
Senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on December 15 told the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly that three agri laws passed by the Centre were being opposed for political reasons and claimed that farm sector reforms had been initiated when the Congress-led UPA was in power.
Speaking in the Lower House, the Leader of Opposition also said that handling of cases against Republic TV''s editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami and actress Kangana Ranaut "showed the state government''s arrogance of power".
"...Those who violate the rule of the land can be dealt with the existing laws," he said during a debate on supplementary demands. (PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the agriculture reforms are exactly what the farmers’ bodies and the opposition parties wanted, reports ANI. He adds that the Centre is committed to the welfare of the farmers and will keep assuring them and addressing their concerns, reports ANI.
Those in opposition now failed to bring agri reformduring their regime and are now misguiding farmers.Agriculture reform taking place now is exactly whatfarmers' organisations and opposition parties have beenseeking over the years:
Farmers who are surrounding Delhi have been misguided
A number of "khaps" in UP's Muzaffarnagar have extended support to the farmers' agitation against the Centre's new agrireform laws and will join the ongoing protests at Delhi's border points on December 17.The decision was taken at a meeting of the chiefs of "khaps" (caste councils) held on Monday at Shoram village in the Shahpur police station area here, Subhash Balyan, secretary of All Khap council, said.
The "khap" chiefs termed the Centre's three new agri marketing laws "anti-farmer" and called for their repeal, he said, adding that they have decided to reach Delhi on December 17 to support the agitation. Balyan Khap head and Bhartiya Kisan Union national president Naresh Tikait, Latyan Khap head Bijender Singh, Desh Khap head Sharanvir Singh, Ahlavat Khap head Gajendra Singh, Nirval Khap head Rajvir Mundet, Kundu Khap head Choudhry Upendra Kundu and Benival Khap head Amit Benival were among those who attended the meeting, Subhash Balyan said.
Farmers and political partiesshould not 'blindly oppose' the farm laws or demand their repeal, but study them in detail as the Centre was ready to address their concerns, Union Minister of State Kishan Reddy said.The laws brought out by the Centre are in public domain and farmers could seek clarifications from any one, including himself, at any time, he said.
"We made a beginning for the revolutionary change that has been sought for decades in the agriculture sector. I urge political parties, except Punjab...farmers are not opposing. But don't oppose blindly.Don't oppose the laws out of political animosity towards BJP or Modi. See the laws. I request political parties also.
We in the Modi government will clarify any issues in the laws that are are troubling you.If necessary, we are ready to change them. But seeking repeal of legislation is not a good tradition," he said.Stating that the government is willing to make changes in the laws, he said it was ready to give legal status to MSP.
'The size of the combined economies of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and J&K is about Rs 18 lakh crore. With the ongoing farmers' agitation and blockade of roads, toll plazas and railways, the economic activities have come to a halt. Industries such as textiles, auto components, bicycles, sports goods which cater significantly to the export markets would not be able to fulfil their orders, ahead of Christmas, harming our goodwill amongst the global buyers," ASSOCHAM President, Dr Niranjan Hiranandani said. A daily loss of Rs 3,000-3500 crore is resulting in the economies of the region from the value chain and transport disruption because of the protests, according to ASSOCHAM rough estimates.
