Thursday, Mar 28 2024 | Time 22:31 Hrs(IST)
image
India


Farmers stir: No breakthrough

Farmers stir: No breakthrough

New Delhi, Nov 29 (UNI) An impasse over new laws to regulate agriculture showed no signs of ending on Sunday as thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh remained fixed at borders of the National Capital on the third consecutive day.
They were not allowed by the Central government to enter and assemble at Jantar Mantar to protest against recently enacted farm laws.
The Centre has granted an open place at Burari in north Delhi to farmers, who are amassed at borders, for holding the protest, but they have categorically rejected the offer by calling it an "open jail".
"The Burari place is not a protest site. We know they [Central government] will convert it into a jail," Bhartiya Kisan Union Krantikari president Surjeet Singh said in a press conference held by heads of several farm organisations near Gurugram.
The Centre once again wrote a letter to 32 farmers organisations requesting them to shift to the Burari site and promised to hold a high-level talks at Vigyan Bhawan in central Delhi with union leaders.
Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar wrote that adequate arrangements are in place at the site and it will not be safe in COVID-19 situation and chilling cold to remain in the open at the borders.
However, the farmers organisations rejected the appeal and stuck to their demand of Jantar Mantar site.The choking of borders is affecting day-to-day commuters and transport services.
The key demands of farmers are repealing the new laws, assuring Minimum Support Price (MSP), reading down electricity ordinance and fine on burning stubble. As per reports, hundreds of more farmers have started moving to Delhi from the neighbouring states to join the protesting farmers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his monthly radio address "Maan ki baat" clarified that the laws are for the betterment of farmers and improving agriculture sector.
Mr Modi said the laws will free farmers from hurdles and give them more freedom and opportunities.
However, Indian National Congress slammed Mr Modi for supporting the farm laws despite widespread protest. Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the ruling party was 'drunk in power' and 'dictatorial' as they have passed the controversial bills 'undemocratically' in Parliament and ignored cries of 62 crore farmers.
The laws allow private companies to purchase directly from the farmers and also gives farmers a room to sell anywhere they want. However,farmers organisations are worried that such laws will do away with the "Mandi system" and the MSP and leave peasants at mercy of corporates. Punjab and Rajasthan Assembly have moved resolutions against the laws.
More UNI Team PS RP2046

More News
Comments on our electoral, legal processes completely unacceptable: MEA

Comments on our electoral, legal processes completely unacceptable: MEA

28 Mar 2024 | 7:34 PM

New Delhi, Mar 28 (UNI) The Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday that recent remarks by the US State Department on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest are "unwarranted," and any such external imputation on India's electoral and legal processes is "completely unacceptable".

see more..
DC extends Kejriwal's ED custody till April 1

DC extends Kejriwal's ED custody till April 1

28 Mar 2024 | 7:26 PM

New Delhi, Mar 28 (UNI) A Delhi Court on Thursday extended the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, an accused in the alleged liquor policy scam, for four days till April 1.

see more..
Lawyers apprise CJI of pressure groups influencing judiciary and vitiating legal process

Lawyers apprise CJI of pressure groups influencing judiciary and vitiating legal process

28 Mar 2024 | 7:15 PM

New Delhi, Mar 28 (UNI) About 600 prominent lawyers on Thursday wrote to the chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud that there are attempts from various pressure groups to undermine the judiciary’s integrity.

see more..
No legal bar in Kejriwal continuing as CM:  Delhi HC

No legal bar in Kejriwal continuing as CM: Delhi HC

28 Mar 2024 | 6:41 PM

New Delhi, Mar 28 (UNI) The Delhi High Court on Thursday rejected a public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking Arvind Kejriwal's removal as Delhi Chief Minister following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the alleged Delhi excise policy scam and said there is no legal bar in his continuation as CM.

see more..
UNICEF India, IIHMR Delhi & IIT Mumbai launch digital health course to bridge tech-knowledge gaps

UNICEF India, IIHMR Delhi & IIT Mumbai launch digital health course to bridge tech-knowledge gaps

28 Mar 2024 | 6:25 PM

New Delhi, Mar 28 (UNI) UNICEF India, the International Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR) Delhi, and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) jointly launched a comprehensive health course.

see more..
image