The Delhi Police’s decision to block the entry of protesting farmers from western Uttar Pradesh, led by Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), to Delhi invited criticism from Opposition parties. The Opposition said that the Centre is trying to use violence against farmers on the 150th birthday of Mahatma Gandhi.
The Centre, after marathon discussions, claimed that it has addressed the issues of the protestors and that seven of their demands will be positively considered. The BKU, however, said they are not satisfied with the assurance of the Centre.
Centre holds meeting
The Union Agriculture Ministry said in a statement that a detailed discussion was held on the memorandum submitted by the BKU.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh chaired the meeting, which was attended by Ministers and officials from both the Centre and the State government along with representatives of people.
Declares support to farmers
The Centre said it will file a review petition at the National Green Tribunal against the prohibition imposed on the operation of diesel vehicles which are more than a decade old.
On the issue of linking MNREGA with agriculture, the Centre stated that a high-level committee, comprising of Chief Ministers, is considering all the suggestions from farmers. “Representative of farmers will also be included in the panel,” the statement said.
The Ministry has also assured the farmers that a proposal will be sent to the GST council that the rate of items and equipment used for farming will be five per cent or less.
Regarding the demand for implementing the MS Swaminathan formula of cost plus 50 per cent as Minimum Support Price (MSP), the Ministry said the Centre has announced such a measure in budget for kharif crops and it will be applicable for the rabi crops too.
“Every possible legal steps will be taken to stop import of the crops. The permitted period for the purchase will be 90 days,” the statement said. The Centre said a committee under the chairmanship of Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of State for Agriculture, will be formed to address farmers’ complaints against the Crop Insurance Scheme and the Kisan Credit Card Scheme. The Scheme will be modified to include the risk of attacks by wild animals, the release added.
Naresh Tikait, the chief of BKU, said the farmers are “not satisfied” with the government’s assurance.
Farmers dissatisfied
“We will discuss this and then decide on future course of action. I cannot decide anything alone, our committee will take the decision,” Tikait added.
Earlier, the Opposition parties questioned the Delhi Police’s action on farmers. The Congress Working Committee (CWC), which met in Wardha, said in a resolution that farmers came to Delhi after travelling hundreds of kilometres but an audacious Centre, instead of hearing them, decided to fire tear gas shells on them.
“We condemn the police action on farmers. The country will not tolerate violence on farmers on the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi,” the resolution added. The CPI(M) also condemned atrocities on farmers.
“This once again demonstrates the anti-farmer attitude of the Narendra Modi government. Modi government has backtracked on all its promises made to farmers. This anger and protest is not bothering the government,” said Sitaram Yechury, General Secretary, CPI(M). Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the Police should have allowed the farmers to enter Delhi and present their problems before the government.
“We support their demands,” he added. Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav also supported BKU’s protests.