New Delhi, Nov 27 (UNI) The Samyukt Kisan Morcha on Saturday announced deferring its planned tractor marches to Parliament, which were to start from November 29, the first day of Winter Session of Parliament, as a Bill to repeal the three laws was listed in the Lok Sabha for Monday.
The laws to be scrapped include the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance, Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.
After a meeting held at the Singhu border, the SKM leaders announced that the November 29 tractor march has been deferred.
"Considering the Cabinet decision to place the repeal bill of three farm acts in Lok Sabha on November 29, the meeting decided to suspend the Tractor March to Parliament planned earlier on Monday," Finance Secretary of the All India Kisan Sabha P Krishna Prasad said.
The meeting also condemned the Narendra Modi-led government for not convening discussion with the SKM, even after they wrote an open letter to the Prime Minister, demanding discussion.
"In a democracy, it is the duty of an elected government to discuss with the protesting farmers and resolve the disputes amicably," Prasad added.
The SKM leaders decided to demand the Union Government once again to hold discussion with them on remaining demands before December 3.
"Considering the response of the Union Government, the next SKM meeting on December 4 will decide the future course of action. The struggle will continue till all the demands are met," Prasad added.
The SKM leaders said the decision to postpone the tractor march was taken, as the government decided to repeal the Farm Laws.
"Government will have to return to the dialogue table and talk to SKM. MSP is the most important issue, without MSP, Morcha will not return," Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rajveer Singh Jadaun said.
"Government will have to talk to us on the on issues like death of farmers during agitation, cases against farmers, and the Lakhimpur incident where cases are being filed against farmers. We do not agree with government's announcements, come to dialogue table, and find a respectable solution," the BKU leader said.
"We will meet again on December 4 and decide the future course of action," he added.
The announcement came on a day when Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar urged the farmers to return, as Parliament is set to take up a bill to repeal the Farm Laws.
The Winter Session of Parliament starts from November 29. According to the list of business on the opening day, the bill to repeal the farm laws is listed for introduction, consideration and passage in the House.
The Opposition Congress had demanded a debate on the repeal bill, and opposition parties have also questioned the manner in which the bill was passed.
The Farm Laws were passed in Parliament in September last year, amid protests by Opposition parties. In Rajya Sabha, the Opposition had demanded for a division, which means voting on the bill, but it was passed through voice vote.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the nation by surprise on November 19, as he announced that the three controversial farm laws would be repealed in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament.
UNI AO RJ