Why Punjab, Haryana farmers are more apprehensive about new agriculture laws?

 

Farmer protest in India's national capital has created quite a flutter globally too. But very few know exactly what the farmers are protesting. Here's a primer or an explainer on the contentious Farm Bills.

Key Highlights

• Since 26 November, farmers from Punjab and Haryana have laid siege to the national capital. They are protesting against recently passed Farm Bills

• These bills lay the framework for allowing farmers to sell produce directly to corporates, argues the Centre

• Farmers fear that this may be an excuse to pull off the MSP safety net from under their feet

Reason of Protest?

2020 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts gone by the Indian Parliament in 2020. The acts are described as "anti-farmer laws" by farmer unions, while others say it might leave farmers at the "mercy of corporates."

What farmers want?

• Revocation of three Farm Bills

•  Legally ensure minimum support price (MSP)

• To take back all the cases registered against agitating farmers

• To reduce diesel prices by 50%

 

Soon after the acts were introduced, unions began holding local protests, mostly within the states of Punjab and Haryana. After two months of protests, farmers—notably from the 2 aforementioned states—began a movement named ‘Challo Delhi’ (transl. Let’s go to Delhi), in which tens of thousands of farmers marched towards the national capital. Police and law enforcement used water cannons and tear gas to prevent the farmers from entering Delhi. On 30 November, India Today estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 (2–3 lakh) farmers were converging at various border points on the way to Delhi.”
Over 500 farmer unions are protesting. Transport unions representing over 14 million truckers, bus drivers and taxi drivers have begin in support of the farmers, threatening to halt movement of supplies in certain states. After the govt did not address the farmers’ demands during talks on 4 December, the farmers planned to escalate the action to a different India-wide strike on 8 December 2020.

Details of Farming Act

In 2017, the central government released model farming acts. However, after a particular period of your time it had been found that variety of the reforms suggested within the model acts had not been implemented by the states. A committee consisting of seven Chief Ministers was found out in July 2019 to debate the implementation. Accordingly, the central Government of India promulgated three ordinances (or temporary laws) within the first week of June 2020, which addressed agricultural produce, their sale, hoarding, agricultural marketing and contract farming reforms among other things.

These ordinances were introduced as bills and gone by the Lok Sabha on 15 and 18 September 2020. Later, on 20 September, the Rajya Sabha also passed the three bills by 22 September. The President of India gave his assent by signing the bills on 28 September, thus converting them into acts.

These acts are as follows:

1. Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act : expands the scope of trade areas of farmers produce from select areas to “any place of production, collection, and aggregation.” Allows electronic trading and e-commerce of scheduled farmers’ produce. Prohibits state governments from levying any market fee, cess or levy on farmers, traders, and electronic trading platforms for trade of farmers’ produce conducted in an ‘outside trade area’.

2. Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act : creates a framework for contract farming through an agreement between a farmer and a buyer prior to the production or rearing of any farm produce. It provides for a three-level dispute settlement mechanism: the conciliation board, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, and Appellate Authority.’

3. Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act : allows for the center to regulate food items through essential commodities. Requires that imposition of any stock limit on agricultural produce be based on price rise.

 

How MSP affects farmers?

• MSP is the minimum price paid by the government when it procures Any crops from the farmers. It is announced by the state-run Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) for more than 22 commodities on a annual basis after calculating the cost of cultivation.

• Food corporation of India (FCI) which is that the main state-run grain procurement agency largely buys only paddy and wheat at this prices the FCI then sells these food grains at highly subsidised price to the poor and is there after compensated by the government for its losses.

• However, the FCI procurement isn't uniform across India. In Bihar, for instance procurement by FCI has remained at but 2 percent of the states total production therefore most farmers are forced to sell at the discount of about 25% to 35% of MSP.

• But millions of tonnes of Paddy and wheat are procured from the states of Haryana and Punjab the FCI procurement data makes it obvious why farmers from Punjab and Haryana are more apprehensive about any changes in MSP laws.

Farmers' Demands

The farmers believe that the laws will open the sale and marketing of agricultural products outside the notified Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis for farmers. Further, the laws will allow inter-state trade and encourage electronic trading of agricultural produce. The new laws prevent the state governments from collecting a market fee, cess or levy for trade outside the APMC markets; this has lead the farmers to believe the laws will “gradually end the mandi system” and “leave farmers at the mercy of corporates”. Further, the farmers believe that the laws will end their existing relationship with the arhtiyas (commission agents who act as middlemen by providing financial loans, ensuring timely procurement, and promising adequate prices for their crop) and that corporates will not be as kind. Additionally, the farmers are of the opinion that the dismantling of the APMC mandis will encourage the abolishment of procurement of their crop at the MSP. They are thus demanding for MSPs to be guaranteed by the government.

 

As of 3 December 2020, the farmers’ demands include:

1. Repeal the three new farm laws

2. Convey a special Parliament session to repeal the farm laws

3. Make minimum support price (MSP) and state procurement of crops a legal right

4. Assurances that conventional procurement system will remain

5. Implement Swaminathan Panel Report

6. Cut diesel prices for agricultural use by 50%

7. Removal of punishment and fine for stubble burning

8. Release of farmers arrested for burning paddy stubble in Punjab

9. Abolishment of the Electricity Ordinance 2020

10. Centre should not interfere in state subjects, decentralization in practice

Protests

Even though small scale protests had started in August 2020 once the farm bills had been made public, it was only after the passage of the acts that more farmers and farm unions across India joined the protests against the reforms. Farm unions all over India called for a Bharat Bandh.

 

To protest against these farm laws on 25 September 2020. The most widespread protests took place in Punjab and Haryana but demonstrations were also reported in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala and other states. Railway services have remained suspended in Punjab for more than two months due to the protests, starting from October. Following this, farmers from different states then marched to Delhi to protest against the laws. Farmers also criticised the national media for misrepresenting the protest.

Farm unions

Under the coordination of bodies such as Samyukt Kisan Morcha and All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee, the protesting farm unions include:

Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan, Sidhupur, Rajewal, Chaduni, Dakaunda), Jai Kisan Andolan, All India Kisan Sabha, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, National Alliance for People’s Movements, Lok Sangharsh Morcha, All India Kisan Khet Majdoor Sangathan, Rashtriya Kisan Majdoor Sangathan, All India Kisan Mazdoor Sabha, Krantikari Kisan Union, ASHA-Kisan Swaraj, National Alliance for People’s Movements, Lok Sangharsh Morcha, All India Kisan Mahasabha, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, Sangtin Kisan Mazdoor Sanghatan, Jamhoori Kisan Sabha, Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, Terai Kisan Sabha.

Transport bodies such as the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), representing about 9.5 million truckers and 5 million bus and taxi drivers, have threatened to halt movement of supplies in the northern states, further adding that “We will then escalate it to entire country if the government fails to address (the farmer’s) issues.”

Rail Roko

On 24 September 2020, farmers started a “Rail Roko”(stop the trains) campaign, following which train services to and from Punjab were affected. Farmers extended the campaign into October. On 23 October, some farmer unions decided to call off the campaign, as supplies of fertilizer and other goods in the state were starting to run short.

 

Delhi Chalo

After failing to get the support of their respective state governments, the farmers decided to pressure the Central Government by marching to Delhi. On 25 November 2020, protestors from the Delhi chalo (let's go to Delhi) campaign were met by police at the borders of the city. The police employed the use of tear gas and water cannons, dug up roads, and used layers of barricades and sand barriers to stop the protestors, leading to at least three farmer casualties. Amidst the farmer agitation, on 27 November, media highlighted the actions of a youth who jumped onto a police water cannon targeting protesting farmers and turned it off. He was later charged with attempted murder. The march on Delhi was accompanied by a 24-hour strike of 250 million people across India on 26 November 2020 in opposition to both the farm law reform and proposed changes to labour law. During 28 November to 3 December, the number of farmers blocking Delhi in the Delhi Chalo was estimated at 150 to 300 thousand.

 

The Central Government Of India allotted the date of 3 December 2020 for discussing the future of the new farm laws, despite protesters’ demands that the talks should take place immediately. It was decided that the government would only talk to a select group of farmer unions. The Prime Minister would be absent in this meeting. The KSMC, a leading kissan jatha (farmer organisation) refused to join this meeting for these reasons. While the Center wants the farmers to move away from Delhi to a protest site in Burari, on the outskirts of the city, the farmers preferred to stay at the borders and instead put forward a proposal of protesting at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi.

The farmers’ unions announced that on 4 December they would burn effigies of PM Modi and leaders of corporations. Farmers planned to return their awards and medals on 7 December and to organize a Bharat Bandh (national strike) on 8 December. After talks with the central government failed to find a solution on 5 December, farmers confirmed their plans for a national strike on 8 December. Further talks were planned for 9 December.

Blocked border and roads

A number of borders, including the Dhansa border, Jharoda Kalan border, Tikri border, Singhu border, Kalindi Kunj border, Chilla border, Bahadurgarh border and Faridabad border were blocked by protestors during the protests. On 29 November, the protestors announced that they would block five further points of entry into Delhi, namely Ghaziabad-Hapur, Rohtak, Sonipat, Jaipur and Mathura.

What the government says?

The three farm law are projected by the govt as major reforms within the agriculture sector which will remove middleman and permit farmer to sell anywhere within the country until 2020 the primary sale of agriculture produce could occur only at the mandis of the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC). However, after the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020 game into force it allows farmers to sell outside APMC mandis in India.
The Union Government has held multiple rounds of talks with farmers and tried to reassure them that their interest won't be compromised. But, no significant progress has been made so far is in breaking the deadlock over the laws.
Were protesting farmers and government are set for another round of talks on December 9.

Response and reactions of Government

On 17 September, the Food Processing Industries Union Minister, Harsimrat Kaur Badal of Shiromani Akali Dal, resigned from her post in protest against the bills. On 26 September, Shiromani Akali Dal left the National Democractic Alliance. On 30 November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the farmers were being "lied" to. He stated that "the farmers are being deceived on these historic agriculture reform laws by the same people who have misled them for decades." Modi added that the old system was not being replaced, but instead that new options were being put forward for the farmers. Several Union Ministers also made statements to this effect. On 1 December, Independent MLA Somveer Sangwan withdrew support from the Bharatiya Janata Party government in the Haryana Assembly. The BJP's ally, the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) also asked central government to consider giving a "written assurance of the continuation of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops."

All-India Bandh

On 4 December, The farmers protesting on the outskirts of Delhi against the centre's new agricultural laws have called a nationwide strike on Tuesday, December 8, saying they will block all roads to the capital, amid a stand-off with the government.

Khalistan References

Several Bharatiya Janata Party politicians accused protestors of separatism, claiming that Khalistani slogans had been raised during the protests. The general secretary of the party, Dushyant Kumar Gautam, claims that "Slogans of Khalistan zindabad, Pakistan zindabad are being raised" during the farmers agitation. On 28 November, the Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that "unwanted elements" like Khalistan sympathizers have been seen among the peacefully protesting farmers. On 4 December 2020, non-profit fact-checking website Alt News reported that images from Khalistani agitations in 2013 were being used to accuse farmers of separatism, during the 2020 protests. Protestors have accused the national media of not telling the truth in relation to the laws. A protestor told that "The Modi media is calling us Khalistanis. We have been sitting peacefully for two months. That makes us terrorists?" Commentators have said that the Khalistan angle is being used to defame the protests; "They are scared that the protest can shake the divisive agenda of the Sangh Parivar, hence they are dubbing Sikh farmers as Khalistanis. They want to communalise the farmers’ protest and to counter them, and are thus confined to Khalistan."The Editors Guild of India asked the media not label protesting farmers as "Khalistanis" or "anti-nationals". Also added, "This goes against the tenets of responsible and ethical journalism. Such actions compromise the credibility of the media.

 

 

Celebrities come out in support of protesting farmers

 

• Bollywood celebrities and cricketers have come out in support of agitating farmers who are staging a protest at Delhi borders against the three farm laws passed by the Union government.

• Celebrities are also condemning the use of force and water cannons on farmers by the Haryana Police.

• Congress MLA Navjot Singh Sidhu tweeted, “Triumph of the punjabi spirit.Kisan Morcha is democratic, pristine and non-violent. Any Attempts by agencies to foil it - Will fail. Punjabiyat is our shield, Universal Brotherhood our philosophy and driving force!”

• Harbhajan Singh has tweeted, “The farmer is our food provider. We should give a little time to the food provider. Wouldn’t it be reasonable? Can’t we listen to them without a police confrontation? Please listen to the farmer.Jai Hind.”

• Actress Taapsee Pannu posted a sarcastic tweet along with sharing photos of farmers facing water cannons saying, “Chalo now let’s not waste time and quickly #BoycottFood come on Twitter you can do it.”

• Harbajan Singh tweeted, "Farmers are our feeders, we should give a little time to our feeders,will it not be fair, without police voilance we can not listen them, please listen to farmers jai hind.

• Singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh tweeted, “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan, Politics Na Karo Rab Da Vasta. Masley Da Hall Karo Ji” (Don’t do politics for god sake, resolve the issue).

• Rapper and singer Honey Singh has tweeted, “My prayers with farmers Waheguru Meher karan !!”

• Actress Simi Grewal has also posted a photo of farmers with a hastag with farmers.

• Punjabi singer Ammy Virk has posted, “If you really love them, love farmers, love humanity, then plz do support farmers. Your one share is also very important. One one tweet retweet, plz do that use hashtag.”

• Even England cricketer Monty Panesar has also tweeted, “What happens if the buyer says the contract cannot be fulfilled because the quality of crop is not what was agreed, what protection the farmer has then? There is no mention of fixing a price??”.

• Swara Bhaskar has also shared the photos of the farmers facing water cannons and tweeted, “Shameful conduct! Shame on mlkhattar govt. Its 14 degrees in Sonepat just now cruel inhuman people.”.

• Jazzy B has also come out in the support of farmers and he is asking all the Punjabi singers and other celebrities to come and support farmers.

• Moreover, singers Ranjit Bawa and Tarsem Jassar are helping with teams in serving langar to the protesting farmers in Delhi. While Kanwar Grewal and Harf Cheema are camping with farmers in the protest in Delhi.
  

What would I like to say on this Farmers' Protest?

All I want to say on this farmers protest is that the Modi Government should think once again on the MSP and decide in the interest of farmers.

Because the farmers are not terrorists, they are feeders and it is your job to listen them and understand their problem. So please think again on this issue and take the right decision.

I am very shocked that the Bollywood celebrities who always go to Punjab and shoot their pictures are very well received by the Punjab people, but today when they have got a good chance to raise their voice, then all of them are sitting silent which is very objectionable. If no one can help, then please don't abstain others by uttering words,  Kangana Ranaut has said lot on Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh and elderly woman who was protesting in farmer protest. I don't think that actress is so important to mention in my blog so I would carry forward. Diljit Dosanjh, who is an excellent artist who donated 10000000 rupees only for the warm clothes for the farmers, which is a great honor, many famous Punjabi singers join this Protest and supporting the farmers. And demanding for justice from the government, hope that the government should give some good and big decision quickly and think again on the bill passed and provide relief to the farmers. 

Jai jawan Jai kisaan🙏 🇳🇪