Farmer leader Poonam Pandit here on Saturday described the agriculture laws enacted by the Centre as a “death warrant” and urged farmers to reach Delhi on January 26.
The farmer leader said this addressing a “Kisan Mahapanchayat” in the Banda area of Shahjahanpur, which according to police was held without permission and amid the imposition of prohibitory orders.
(PTI)
A Prime Minister-appointed committee of Chief Ministers is claimed to have "recommended" amending the Essential Commodities Act, one of the controversial laws against which farmers protesting, and other farm reforms. But, NITI Aayog has refused to provide a copy of the report citing that it has not been placed before its Governing Council yet for an "appraisal" of all Chief Ministers.
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Saturday hit out at the Centre over the impasse on the farm laws, alleging that "no one" was consulted for the legislations, and asserted that the only way out for the government was to agree to start on a "clean slate".
His remarks came a day after the Centre asked protesting farmers to form an informal group to prepare a concrete proposal about their objections and suggestions on the farm laws for further discussion at their next meeting on January 19 to end the long-running protest at various Delhi borders.
(PTI)
"Step-motherly treatment being given to farmers may become counterproductive as the farmers know how to withdraw support to the BJP-led government," he said while talking to reporters here. Dixit said due to the "indifferent attitude" of the government, farmers are being forced to protest in the chilly weather. He said the government is using "lingering tactics" to break the morale of the farmers.
(PTI)
A farmer union requested the Supreme Court on Saturday to remove the remaining three members of the committee it had set up to resolve the impasse over the three contentious farm laws, and select people who can do the job "on the basis of mutual harmony".