Chandigarh, Sep 8, 2021 (Yes Punjab News)
Today talks between SKM leaders and Karnal district administration failed, after the government refused to accept the farmers’ demands. “Farmers stand determined to get justice for the murder of Shaheed Sushil Kajal. Unless, SDM Ayush Sinha is suspended and compensation is paid, the gherao will continue”, SKM said.
Yesterday, after the Kisan Mahapanchayat at Karnal grain market, and the failed talks with the district administration, the farmers started their march towards the Mini Secretariat. On the way, several SKM leaders were detained, and later released when the crowds started to assemble. Around 7:30 pm, farmers reached the Mini Secretariat and started the gherao. Tens of thousands of farmers, including many SKM leaders, spent the night on the road outside the Mini secretariat.
Today Union Government announced the MSP for rabi crops with the usual rhetoric of “greatest ever increase in MSP”, “extraordinary favor to the farmers”, etc. However, the fact is, that the government has actually reduced the MSP of rabi crops in real terms. While the retail inflation stands at 6%, the MSP of wheat and chana has been increased by 2% and 2.5% alone. This means that *in real terms, MSP of wheat and chana has been reduced by 4% and 3.5%* respectively.
The new MSP of ₹ 2015 declared for wheat for RMS 2022-23 is equivalent to ₹ 1901 when adjusted for inflation, which is ₹ 74 less than ₹ 1975 declared for the wheat for RMS 2021-22. Similarly, the MSP of chana (gram) has been reduced from ₹ 5100 to ₹ 4934 in real terms.
One one hand, the farmers are facing the brunt of increased prices of diesel, petrol, agricultural inputs and their daily necessities, and on the other hand, they are becoming poorer as their income is getting reduced.
The Government is also deceitfully misusing the term “Comprehensive Costs” which has always been used to refer to the C2 Cost of Production. As pointed out by Farm Unions since 2018, the government is blatantly deceiving the farmers and nation by using a lower cost measure (A2+FL) and claiming that it is providing MSP as 50% above the comprehensive cost.
For example, in 2021-22, the comprehensive cost of production (C2) for wheat was ₹ 1467 which is 50% higher than the lower cost of ₹ 960 used by the government. Once again, the farmers of India reject the government’s play with numbers and demand real renumerative prices not imaginary profits.
Finally, SKM asserts that without a Legal Guarantee for the MSP, the MSP declared by the government will remain on paper for most of the farmers. It must be noted that a large number of farmers, particularly in the states where mandi system is weak, have to sell their crops below MSP. The legal guarantee for MSP has been the longstanding demand of the farmers, and one of the key demands of the SKM.
Meanwhile in solidarity with the farmers’ agitation in Karnal, farmers across Haryana and throughout India have come out in support. UP farmers under the leadership of Rakesh Tikait extended their support, and declared that they would join the farmers in Karnal if the government refuses to accept the farmers’ demands.
CM Khattar’s effigy was burnt in Jhajjar, Bahadurgarh, Shahjahanpur, Kurukshetra, Mahendragarh, and several different locations. After the success of Kisan-Mazdoor Mahapanchayat, BJP ally Apna Dal has come out in support of the farm movement. Meghalaya Governor Satya Pal Malik has also expressed his support to the farm movement. RSS affiliate, BKS has launched an agitation against the current MSP regime, calling it an illusion and a fraud.
Meanwhile, the preparations for Bharat Bandh is in full swing across the nation. Preparatory meetings and assemblies are being held by the Farm Unions. A Kisan Mahapanchayat will be held in Tilhar, Uttar Pradesh on September 29th. Farm Unions will meet at Shahjahanpur border on September 10th, which will see participation from 33 districts.
Meanwhile sugarcane farmers have also launched an agitation against the Uttar Pradesh government, where SAP of sugarcane has not been increased since 2017. Farmers’ agitations continues with full strength in Uttarakhand, and more toll plazas are being freed everyday. The agitation will intensify in the coming days. A Kisan Sansad will be organized in Jaipur, Rajasthan on September 15th, and in Chattisgarh on September 28th.
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