SKM letter to PM lays down charter of demands
SKM seems to be toughening its stance. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it has laid down a six-point charter of demands. It also said its planned protests and events were not being withdrawn.
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The Centre has initiated the process to repeal the three farm laws. A decision on this may be taken in the next meeting of the Union Cabinet slated for November 24. Thereafter, officials say, a process will be started to formally repeal the laws in the next session of Parliament starting November 29.
But the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) seems to be toughening its stance. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it has laid down a six-point charter of demands. Moreover, the umbrella organization said its planned protests and events were not being withdrawn.
The letter begins with a mixed reaction. It expresses dissatisfaction with Modi’s approach of going for a “unilateral announcement” instead of a “bilateral solution”. However, the farmers are happy that the Prime Minister has announced that the three farm laws will be repealed.
According to SKM, right from the beginning of the negotiations with the government, there were three more demands. One, the government should legally guarantee the procurement of crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) based on the “C2 + 50%” formula.
Two, the SKM has demanded the withdrawal of the proposed Electricity Amendment Bill, 2020/21. It says that the government had promised so during the negotiations, but went back on its promise later.
Three, the government should remove the penal provisions in the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021. Although the government removed some of the anti-farmer provisions, Section 15 has again brought the scope of punishing the farmers.
Besides, says the letter, the last one year of protest has given rise to some new issues and this has increased the list of demands. One of these demands calls for the withdrawal of cases lodged against farmers in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and other states during the protests.
The SKM has also raised the demand for land at Singhu to raise a memorial to the 700 farmers who died during the protest and compensation for their families.
Lakhimpur Kheri killings, it seems, can’t be forgotten. The letter is categorical on its demand regarding MoS (Home) Ajay Mishra, whose son is an accused in the killings. “Ajay Mishra Teni is roaming free and remains a minister in your Cabinet. He is sharing the stage with you and other senior ministers. He should be sacked and arrested.”
Meanwhile, the SKM will continue its agitation and proceed with the planned march to the Parliament on 29 November to observe one year of anti-farm law agitation. However, it also says it will hold another meeting on November 27 to decide the future course of action.
