Farmers across Punjab on Thursday launched their three-day rail roko agitation in the state, against the Centre's contentious agricultural bills. This agitation is in addition to a state-wide 'bandh' that has been called by various organisations on September 25. Also on the day, the opposition Congress launched its nearly two-month-long 'mass movement' against the Centre for passing these 'anti-farmer' and 'anti-poor' bills.
Two of the three bills--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--were passed last week in Parliament. The bills now await the President's nod to become laws even as the opposition has urged him not to give his assent to the bills.
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Farmers' bodies gear up for 'Bharat Bandh' on September 25
Over 100 farmers' unions are likely to participate in 'Bharat Bandh' on Friday against the agricultural bills. Farmers' unions like Bharatiya Kisan Union, All India Farmers Union etc. will participate in the bandh.
'Agitation will hurt ordinary citizens, rail freight and economy': Railway ministry
"Punjab rail agitation will severely impact loading of foodgrains and other essential goods. It will hurt ordinary citizens and fast recovering rail freight and economy," says Railway Ministry
Opposition has urged President Kovind not to give assent to bills
Congress' Ghulam Nabi Azad, leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha, met President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday on behalf of the entire opposition, and urged him not to give his assent to the bills.
Massive chaos was witnessed in RS during passage of Bills
Eight opposition party MPs were suspended on Monday by Rajya chairperson M Venkaiah Naidu for 'heckling' deputy chairperson Harivansh during the passage of two out of three bills on Sunday.
'MSP will continue, have declared for Kharif and Rabi crops': Tomar
Tomar reiterates MSP will continue, adding MSP fpr Kharif and Rabi crops have already been announced. He further says gove procurement will begin as soon as Kharif crop is harvested.
'Congress, opposition misleading farmers for personal gains': Tomar
"Congress and some opposition parties are misleading farmers for personal gains as they themselves couldn't bring such reforms. Manmohan Singh and agriculture minister Sharad Pawar wanted to bring reforms, but due to pressure from some people, UPA couldn’t muster courage," says Tomar.
'APMCs run by state govts, bills won't shut them down': Tomar
"APMCs are run by state govts, our Bill cannot shut it down and we don’t even intend to do so. Our law says that trade area outside APMC mandis will be free from tax. Farmers will have the freedom to choose where they want to sell," says Tomar.
Bills will free farmers from shackles of APCM: Agriculture minister
"The farm bills will free farmers from shackles of APMC and will give them price guarantee at time of sowing. I request the farmers to let these be implemented, it'll definitely bring a change in your lives," agriculture minister Narendra Tomar tells news agency ANI.
Farm bills will double farmers' income: MP CM Shivraj Chouhan
"Farm bills will double the income of farmers and empower them. Those who are opposing the bills are enemies of the farmers and are misleading them. Why are they (Opposition) supporting the middlemen," says Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
First published: Sep 24, 2020 08:01 IST