Farmers' Protest: Fuel supply to Punjab hampered, reveals govt sources

Farmers' Protest: As the farmer protests continue to disrupt normalcy at the Punjab-Haryana border, government sources disclosed to news agency ANI on Tuesday that diesel dispatches to Punjab have decreased by fifty per cent, with gas shipments reduced by twenty per cent.

Farmers' Demands

The protests, organised by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha and Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, are driven by a list of 12 demands presented to the central government. Led by farmer union leaders Jagjeet Singh Dallewal and Sarwan Singh Pandher, the protestors are marching towards Delhi to voice their grievances.

Key Demands

Among the demands highlighted by the protesting farmers is the enactment of a law ensuring Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops, in line with the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission report. They also seek a comprehensive debt waiver scheme and pensions for farmers and farm labourers.

Additional Demands

The farmers are calling for the scrapping of the Electricity Amendment Bill 2020 and the reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act of 2013, with provisions for farmer consent and compensation at four times the collector rate. Furthermore, they demand justice for those involved in the Lakhimpur Kheri killings.

Employment and Compensation Appeals

Additionally, the protestors seek 200 days of employment per year under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), with a daily wage of Rs 700, linked to farming. They also demand compensation and job opportunities for the families of farmers who lost their lives during the protests in 2021.

Chaotic Scenes at the Border

Chaos unfolded at the Shambhu border as police attempted to prevent protestors from reaching the national capital. Visuals from the scene depicted farmers fleeing towards nearby farmland as tear gas and water cannons were deployed by the police. Concrete slabs, iron nails, and barricades were erected along the border, manned by a heavy presence of police and paramilitary personnel.

Support from Farmer Leaders

Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait expressed solidarity with the protestors, emphasising that the issues of MSP, Swaminathan Committee report implementation, and debt waiver concern farmers nationwide. Tikait affirmed support for the 'Delhi Chalo' protest, underscoring the collective stance of farmers across the country.

As tensions escalate and the protests intensify, the government faces mounting pressure to address the farmers' demands and engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve the ongoing crisis.