Farmers Movement Archive

Farmers’ agitation echoes in Delhi assembly with strong demand to withdraw three laws

NEW DELHI: The farmers’ agitation reverberated in Delhi assembly on Friday with a motion being moved that the central government withdraw the three newly enacted farm laws. Concluding the discussion on the issue, home minister Satyendar Jain stated that the claims that the income of farmers would double was nothing but “jumla”. “The agri laws have been made to benefit some big companies and farmers will turn into labourers from being landowners. The Centre should withdraw these farm laws without any conditions,” he added. AAP MLA Virender Singh Kadian moved the motion underlining that the House had noted with concern that the Centre had not heeded the demands of farmers for withdrawal of the three Acts despite their peaceful protests. The motion stated, “Keeping in view the genuine demand of the farmers and also the fact that many of them have lost their lives during the struggle, this House strongly recommends that the Union government immediately repeal the three agri laws and call the farmers’ associations for talks to understand their grievances.” Jarnail Singh, another AAP MLA, said the farmers were suffering in their fight. “They consider land their mother and can go to any extent to protect it. Around 600 farmers have died, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who usually speaks even on small issues, hasn’t uttered a single word on this,” he added, while appealing to the Centre to talk to the farmers and repeal the three Acts. Leader of the Opposition in Delhi assembly Ramvir Singh Bidhuri said the AAP government had already notified the farm reform laws for implementation in Delhi, but was now raising questions on it. “The farm laws will increase production, double farmers’ income and mandis will be expanded,” he added. “Delhi government had promised that it would give 50% more price than the MSP announced by the central government. It had also talked about increasing land acquisition compensation from Rs 53 lakh per acre to Rs 1 crore. It had also declared to make electricity free for running tubewells. But none of the promises were fulfilled,” said Bidhuri. Demanding subsidy on tractors and extending subsidy on fertilisers, Bidhuri said gram sabha land should only be used for creating facilities for locals, including schools, hospitals, and colleges. “All schemes announced by the PM for the welfare of farmers should be implemented in Delhi,” said Bidhuri, while claiming that after Modi became PM the income of farmers had doubled and production increased.

The Times of India

2021-07-31

Delhi