»Rhetoric, Reality or Reforms? The Big Picture of Farm Bills That’s Got Lost in Noise
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Rhetoric, Reality or Reforms? The Big Picture of Farm Bills That’s Got Lost in Noise
New Delhi: Bharatiya Kisan Union National President Naresh Tikait speaks at Khap Panchayat during farmers protest against the new farm laws, at Delhi-UP border near Ghazipur in New Delhi, Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020. (PTI Photo/Vijay Verma)(
Passing of the laws is only the first step. A common minimum agenda needs to be built across all state governments irrespective of their political affiliation.
Last Updated:December 31, 2020, 09:33 IST
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Farm laws: News18 survey indicates majority backs reforms but Modi must persist with persuasive engagement with protestors The survey s findings suggest that It would be misleading to define the protests as a mass agitation backed by India’s 14 crore farmers Sreemoy Talukdar December 22, 2020 08:26:57 IST Representational image. Reuters
Nearly 30 days since they started their agitation against agriculture reforms, the protesting farmers show no signs of taking a backward step. On Monday, the farmer unions that have taken part in the demonstrations observed a day-long relay hunger strike at all sites to force the Union government to repeal the farm laws.
However, even as the farmers intensified their protests, a survey by the
Twin messages of farmers struggle: Uphold federalism, revamp economic model By Dr Gian Singh. Dated: 12/22/2020 12:49:50 PM
“Since 1991, the working people, including farmers, have been facing untold problems due to the adoption of the new economic policies of liberalization, privatization and globalization, which are pro-capitalist/corporate. Economic inequalities have been widening.”
The farmers’ struggle that started in Punjab, and has now spread across the country, is unique in many respects. There are few examples of such democratic and peaceful farmers’ struggles in the world. It has has attracted the attention of various sections of society and gained their sympathy and participation. It has turned into a people s struggle.
Why are farmers on the streets?
Gokul Patnaik
The government has said that the new farm laws are a ‘game changer’ and has promised the farmers freedom, protection, and higher income. They have assured that the farmers can now sell their produce to anyone anywhere. APMC mandis will continue to function and will not be closed. Contract farming acts as a form of price assurance and farmers will have income security due to partnership with industry. Then why are the farmers unhappy?
The root cause is a growing distrust of the farmers with assurances given by the government as well as some glaring lacunae in the hurriedly enacted laws. Before coming into power, the 2014 manifesto of the ruling party had promised implementation of the 2006 report of the National Commission of Farmers headed by Dr MS Swaminathan, which had recommended that the MSP should be at least 50 per cent more than the weighted average cost of production. The non-implementation of this recommendation was a lo