Promises include setting up a committee on MSP Law and farmers pension

New Delhi, 17 Nov 2022 | ANN

Condemning Modi Government for betraying the farmers by not implementing the written assurances made almost a year ago, Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Thursday announced to launch a national campaign on 26 November 2022, the second anniversary of the historic farmers’ protests urging the Centre to implement all the promises it made before withdrawing the protests last December.

Protests forced Centre to repeal the controversial farm laws on 19 November 2021 and give a written assurance on 9 December 2021 to set up a Committee on MSP Law, with fair representation from SKM, and for other demands. 700 farmers were martyred in the protests.

SKM has given a call to farmers across India to hold nationwide “March to Raj Bhawan” programmes and submit “Memorandum to the President of India” through the respective Governors on 26 November 2022.

The demands to be made include

1. Legally Guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) at C2+50% for all produce for all farmers
2. Freedom from Indebtedness through a comprehensive Loan Waiver scheme
3. Withdrawal of Electricity Amendment Bill 2022
4. Dismissal and Legal Action against Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Mishra Teni, who is accused in the Lakhimpur Kheri massacre of farmers and a journalist
5. Comprehensive and Effective Crop Insurance Scheme to speedily compensate farmers for crop loss due to natural calamities
6. Farmers Pension of Rs 5,000 per month to all marginal, small, and medium scale farmers and agricultural workers
7. Withdrawal of all False Cases registered against Farmers during the Farmers’ Movement
8. Payment of Compensation to families of all farmers who were martyred during Farmers’ Movement, along with the major local demands of the respective states.

From 1st December to 11th December, marches shall be held to the offices of Lok Sabha and Raj Sabha MPs of all the political parties, and also to leaders and MLAs of all State Assemblies. Call-to-Action letter shall be submitted to all of them, demanding that they bring up the issue of farmers demands in Parliament/State Assemblies and force a debate and resolution of these issues.

It was on 26 November in 2020 that SKM had launched the historic “Delhi Chalo” movement, which became the world’s longest and largest farmers movement. Fateh Diwas or Victory Day shall also be observed across India on 19 November 2022. On this day, in every village and town, farmers will light lamps and candles and distribute sweets.

The press conference was addressed by Darshan Pal, Hannan Mollah, Yudhvir Singh, Avik Saha and Ashok Dhawale.

The next meeting of the SKM is scheduled on 8 December 2022 at Karnal where the next phase of the movement will be decided and announced.

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