Farmers Movement Archive

Outfits protest agri bills

Coimbatore: Several political outfits staged demonstrations against the Centre’s agriculture bills on Saturday. Dravidian and Periyarist outfits held a protest against the bill at the Periyar statue in Gandhipuram. The bills undermined agriculture sector and farmers rights, they said. Representatives of Thandhai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam, May 17 Movement, and VCK participated in the protest. Members of Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) staged a protest condemning the bills near south taluk office. SDPI district president Raja Husain said the BJP-led Centre has passed the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill despite objection from farmers and opposition parties. “The bills don’t speak about the minimum support price, which is very important for farmers. Due to this, farmers are not ready to believe the Centre’s statements that they would not affect them. Moreover, from the list of essential commodities, cereals, pulses, oil seeds, onions, and potatoes would be taken off. Due to this, hoarding and black market by corporates can’t be stopped,” he said.

The Times of India

2020-09-27

Coimbatore