Ferozepur News
Farmers protesting over 12 demands
Farmers protesting over 12 demands
- Minimum Support Price (MSP) Guarantee:
- The farmers are demanding the enactment of a law that ensures a guaranteed minimum price for all crops. This legal assurance would protect their income and provide stability in agricultural markets.
- Debt Waiver:
- The implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations is sought to provide debt waivers to farmers. All debts of the farmers above Rs. 10,000 to be waived, worth ₹18.4 lakh crore.
- Land Acquisition Compensation:
- Farmers demand more compensation for land acquired by various authorities for developmental projects. They also seek to reserve 10% of residential plots on developed lands for the families affected by land acquisition.
- Withdrawal from World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreements:
- Some farmers express concerns about the impact of international trade agreements on their livelihoods.
- They call for India’s withdrawal from the WTO and the imposition of a ban on all Free Trade Agreements (FTA).
- Justice for Lakhimpur Kheri violence:
- The farmers demand punishment for the perpetrators of the Lakhimpur Kheri massacre, where several farmers lost their lives.
- Ensuring justice for the victims and their families is a critical aspect of their protest.
- Pension for Farmers and Farm Labourers:
- Allocation of pensions to farmers and farm labourers.
- Scrapping the Electricity Amendment Bill 2020:
- Farmers fear the growing privatisation of electricity and lack trust in state governments to pay subsidies on time.
- They call for the removal of the bill to safeguard their interests.
- Compensation for Lives Lost During the 2020–2021 Agitation:
- Families of farmers who died during the 2020–2021 agitation seek monetary compensation.
- The demand also includes providing employment opportunities for one family member.
- MGNREGA Employment:
- The farmers advocate for 200 days of employment per year under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for farming.
- They emphasise a daily wage of Rs 700 to support rural workers.
- National Commission for Spices:
- The formation of a commission specifically for different spices is requested to address the unique challenges faced by spice growers.
- Protection of Indigenous People’s Rights:
- The farmers seek protection for land, forests, and water sources belonging to tribal communities.
- Ensuring the rights of indigenous people is a priority.
- Improving Seed Quality:
- Farmers call for measures to enhance seed quality.
- They propose penalising companies that produce fake seeds, pesticides, and fertilisers to safeguard agricultural productivity.