However, a section of farmers in Punjab are still on stir under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) (SKM-NP) and Kisan Majdoor Morcha (KMM) since February 13 last year and the farmer leader Jagjeet Singh Dallewal is on fast since November 26. But noticing the sluggish attitude of the government, Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella union of large segment of Indian farmers unions to pressurize the adamant central government for acceptance of farmers’ demands, has decided to fuel the farmers stir and chalked out the several action points to be taken across the country.
On January 24, 2025, SKM General Body unanimously rejected the NPFAM stating this as reincarnation of 3 Black Farm Laws, which were forced to repeal during 13-month long farmers’ agitation in 2020-21, informed Angrej Singh Bhadour SKM Punjab leader.
Now the SKM has planned to fight tooth and nail to get Draft of National Policy Framework for Agricultural Markets (NPFAM) rejected and withdrawn. It will organize Dharna in front of Member of Parliament offices and go for Grameen Bharat Hartal if Govt does not withdraw it. Other issues are legal guarantee for MSP of all crops at C2+50%; Debt waiver for all farmers and Agri workers; Pending issues of Dec 9, 2021.
In Friday meeting it has also been agreed that SKM will build ‘Pakka Morchas’ in every state at district level and capitals to demand Vidhan Sabhas Resolutions rejecting the draft of NPFAM.
SKM General Body Meeting was held Friday, 24 January 2025, at HS Surjeet Bhawan, New Delhi and attended by 165 Delegates from 73 Farmer Organisations from 12 states decided unanimously and firmly rejected Central Govt’s National Policy Framework for Agricultural Marketing as a reincarnation of the 3 Black Farm Laws being forced through the back door via state govts.
The press release by media cell of SKM states that in one voice the leaders labelled the policy as a crude attack on Govt Mandis, privatising them to help MNC and Corporate growth in Agri retail trade and Agri processing corporate industry. It attaches local Grameen Mandis through FPOs and e-NAM and will enforce Contract farming via FPOs, Cooperatives and SHGs ensuring cheap supply to Food Processor Value Added Chains. All these are as per WTO and World Bank prescriptions.
SKM also questions that NPFAM has no provision for MSP declaration, No provision for Govt Procurement and No provision for Food Storage for supply to PDS. It caters only to Buffer stocks.
The umbrella union has announced that it will build Pakka Morchas in all the states as a step of this movement and in all state’s capitals, also holding Maha panchayats and conventions as part of the build-up.
To put pressure on elected public representative, SKM has called for protest dharnas in front of MPs offices on Feb 10 to explain to them the need for rejecting NPFAM and its other demands. SKM reaffirmed its resolve to build joint movements with other mass organizations as they develop in the process and announced that in case the Union Government does not relent, it shall call for a Grameen Bharat Hartal.
SKM has already called upon the farmers to conduct the Tractor/ Vehicle/ Motorcycle Parade on 26th January 2025, the 76th Republic Day at district/sub division level across the country.
The Farmers’ will Parade demanding the Prime Minister to immediately convene discussions with all the Kisan organisations on struggle and immediately withdraw the Anti-Farmer, Anti-Federal NPFAM, enact law for MSP@C2+50% with legally guaranteed procurement,
comprehensive scheme for loan waiver to farmers and farm workers, no privatisation of electricity, no smart meters, provide free electricity up to 300 units, implement LARR Act 2013 among others.
Dr. Balbir Singh, a farmer activist from Bhiwani district of Haryana, associated with All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), told that the preparations for the agitational programs are going on at Tehsil level and the farmers are ready to jump into the stir to bow down the central government.
But as the Modi government has dropped its hint time and again showing its adamant attitude during the last four years by turning deaf ear to the farmers’ demands, it shall be a very hard stone to crack for the farmer unions to bend the central government. Now the farmers will have to adopt the path of do or die and aggravate their stir even with more strength and skill than their last 13-month long gherao of Delhi border. Will all the associations jolt down unitedly to Compel the Central Government to Bow Down?
Jag Mohan Thaken is a Senior Journalist, Columnist & Political Analyst, views are personal
