DMK, allies plan statewide protest against farm bills
A resolution adopted at the meeting said the passage of bills had once again put a question mark on ‘federalism’. It has also pushed poor farmers into a state of suffering. Bills pave way for hoarding farm produce
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), principal opposition in Tamil Nadu will stage protests across the state on Sept.28 along with nine parties that are its allies against the farm bills passed by Parliament on Sunday.
The alliance also backs the farmers call for a ‘Bharath Bandh’ on Sept.25.
The move was announced by DMK chief MK Stalin ater a meeting of the Dmk-led front held at the party headquarters Anna Arivalayam on Monday.
The Centre’s initiatives pushed the farmers towards big private players, he told the media, and asserted that the protests will demand the Centre to withdraw the bills.
They will also condemn the ruling Anna DMK government as it has lent a helping hand to the Centre on the issue.
The Congress, the Communist parties, the MDMK, and the Muslim League were among parties that atended. The parties urged all sections of people, farmers bodies and traders to take part in the protest.
A resolution adopted at the meeting said the passage of bills has once again put a question mark on “federalism.”
It has also pushed poor farmers into a state of suffering. The bills pave the way for hoarding farm produce.
“Its passage in the Rajya Sabha through a voice vote without division was autocratic and trampled Parliamentary conventions.
“This meeting places on record its strong opposition to the farm bills passed by the Centre which is against the farmers, farm labourers, consumers and the general public and which would cause a setback to progress of agriculture.”
The bills “interfere” with the “independent” agriculture markets and has affected their natural functioning. It has also imperilled food security.
The meeting saw an impressive line-up of leaders: Tamil Nadu Congress Commitee president KS Alagiri, MDMK general secretary Vaiko, state secretaries of CPI ( M) and CPI, K Balakrishnan and R Mutharasan, Muslim League former MP Abdul Rahman, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi chief Thol Thirumavalavan, Manithaneya Makkal Katchi president MH Jawahirullah, Kongunadu
Makkal Desiya Katchi general secretary, ER Easwaran, Dravidar Kazhagam treasurer V Kumaresan and Indiya Jananayaga Katchi chief Ravi Pachamuthu.
Stalin also condemned the police atrocity in Thoothukudi district, where “the police have been unleashed on innocent people.”
A youth named Selvan was abducted and killed by the police. Besides, an atack was staged at midnight against Anita Radhakrishnan, a DMK leader in Thoothukudi to divert atention from the murder of the youth.
The ADMK has expelled its local leader Thirumanavel, who was involved in the Selvan murder case.
“I urge Chief Minister Palanisamy to immediately provide Rs5 million in relief to the bereaved family and mete out justice to them,” Stalin said.
Monday also saw the launching of India’s first mobile ration shops in Chennai.
The 3,501 shops were launched by Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami via video conferencing from the Secretariat.
Palaniswami said 500,000 people will get the benefit of these shops. There are 33,000 ration shops in the state, but people living in remote, inaccessible locations and near mountainous terrains have found it difficult to access them.
The mobile shops are aimed at solving that problem.
Palaniswami, meanwhile, flagged off 13 types of solar and electric power autos manufactured by M Auto Electric Mobility of Dubai.
An agreement with the company brings an investment of about Rs 1 billion and creates jobs for 5,000 people. These autos have CCTV cameras, GPS, panic buton and tabs. Most of the drivers of M auto are women. At the valedictory of Connect-2020 organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on Monday, Palaniswami said economic activities have been gradually opening up ater the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are all aware that the world is going through a severe economic crisis due to Covid pandemic,” he said.