Farmers Movement Archive

Agents to shut Punjab mandis in protest against I-T searches

Following searches by the Income Tax Department on several commission agents ( arhtiya ) in Punjab, they have decided to close the mandi s (markets) in the State for an indefinite period as a mark of protest. They allege that the tax searches were politically motivated as many commission agents have been extending support to the farmers’ agitation. Punjab Arhtiya Association president Ravinder Singh Cheema said on Sunday that the association had decided to shut the mandi s across the State from December 21, as a mark of protest against what he termed a “revengeful act”. “These I-T raids are an act of revenge against the participation of arhtiya in the ongoing agitation of farmers. We are not just extending support to the farmers alone, the commission agents have their own set of concerns in the new farm laws. We are protesting to save our business and interests. It’s a joint struggle of farmers and commission agents,” Mr. Cheema said. “The current scenario seems to be one of imposition of continuous emergency. We can’t even protest as per our constitutional right. If we protest, steps to suppress us are being taken.” Mr. Cheema said the Punjab Arhtiya Federation had also extended support for the closure of mandi s. “We have decided to go to the Supreme Court against the Income Tax raids,” he said. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said on Saturday that the tax searches were conducted on the premises of several big arhtiyas of Punjab within four days of issuing notices, not waiting for responses to the notices. Leaders of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan), one of the largest farmer unions in Punjab, along with the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) condemned the searches.

The Hindu

2020-12-21

CHANDIGARH