India mulls rollback of new laws for farmers amid mass protests
NEW DELHI: India’s government is considering rolling back some parts of its agricultural reforms ater they triggered the biggest protests by farmers in years, officials said on Friday.
Tens of thousands of farmers were out on the streets around Delhi again on Friday, rallying against three laws that the government says are meant to overhaul antiquated procurement procedures and give growers more options to sell their produce.
Farmers fear the legislation, passed in September, will eventually dismantle India’s regulated markets and stop the government from buying wheat and rice at guaranteed prices, leaving them at the mercy of private buyers.
“The government is open to look into various amendments,” a government official told Reuters, declining to be named ahead of a meeting between farmers and ministers scheduled for Saturday.
“The government is open to the idea of imposing taxes on the new wholesale markets to keep a level playing field,” he said.
In case of a dispute between sellers and buyers, the government could also let farmers appeal to a higher court than is currently allowed under the new legislation, he added.
Two other officials said the government was considering making the same concessions, but the government spokesman was not immediately available for comment. There was no immediate response from protesters to the official’s proposals but Kavitha Kuruganti, a farmers’ leader, told Reuters so far the government had not agreed to farmers’ demands.
Farmer leaders have demanded the government repeal the laws and retain mandatory government purchases, and said that buyers at private markets should pay the same tax as at state-run markets.
Under the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, one of the new laws, private players are allowed to set up wholesale markets where transactions will not atract any kind of tax.
The protests, led by influential farming groups from the grain-producing states of Haryana and Punjab, pose a crucial test for Modi’s ability to reform India’s vast agriculture sector, which makes up nearly 15% of the country’s $2.9 trillion economy and employs around half of its 1.3 billion people.
In a separate development, India summoned Canada’s ambassador on Friday and said comments made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over protests by farmers near Delhi were an interference in its domestic affairs and would seriously hurt bilateral ties.
Trudeau, speaking to the Indian community in Canada, said this week that he was concerned about the farmers, most of them from the Sikhdominated Indian state of Punjab, camped out on the outskirts of Delhi in a protest against farm reforms.
The Indian foreign ministry said in a statement that comments on “issues relating to Indian farmers constitute an unacceptable interference in our internal affairs.”
India and Canada have warm ties, but in recent years there has been concern in India that some Sikh leaders in Canada have ties to separatist groups hostile to India.
Canada is home to an influential Sikh community and Indian leaders say there are some fringe groups there that are still sympathetic to the cause of an independent Sikh state called Khalistan, carved out of India.
The Indian foreign ministry said comments made by Trudeau and other leaders had emboldened radical groups and they were a risk to its diplomatic staff based in Canada.
“We expect the Canadian Government to ensure the fullest security of Indian diplomatic personnel and its political leaders to refrain from pronouncements that legitimize extremist activism,” it said.
There was no comment from the Canadian embassy. The Indian government has held talks with the farmers to end the impasse and persuade them that farm reforms were in their interest in the long-term.
It has been more than a week since farmers from neighbouring states camped at the Delhi borders demanding the repeal of the Centre’s farm laws. Ever since, the Delhi Traffic police Twiter handle has been posting regular updates on roadblocks and route diversions for the convenience of commuters.
Interestingly, updates are elaborated upon and even alternate routes suggested so that members of the public do not get stuck in traffic snarls.
Starting as early as 6:30am, the Delhi Traffic Police Twiter handle is busy the entire day giving updates on blocked stretches at Delhi-haryana borders such as Singhu border, Lampur, Auchandi, Safiabad, Piao Maniyari and Saboli. Also, updates on NH 44, Ghazipur and Chilla borders towards Delhi-up border and even Ghaziabad routes towards Delhi are made constantly.
“Updates from the Twiter handle of Delhi Traffic Police help save my time and energy. I make it a point to check the updates before leaving home for office,” said Amita Sharma, a daily commuter.
Ministry of External Affairs summons the High Commissioner and slams the Trudeau government over its recent support to farmers’ agitation in Punjab and Haryana
In a major diplomatic offensive, the Centre on Friday warned the Canadian government of serious damage to bilateral relations if it continued to interfere in India’s domestic maters.
The ministry of External Affairs on Friday summoned the Canadian High Commissioner and slammed the government over its recent support to farmers’ agitation in Punjab and Haryana.
An official statement said that the Canadian High Commissioner was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs and informed that comments by the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, some cabinet ministers and members of parliament on issues relating to Indian farmers “constitute an unacceptable interference in our internal affairs.” “Such actions, if continued, would have a seriously damaging impact on ties between India and Canada,” the statement warned.
The ministry said the comments by the Canadian leadership “have encouraged gatherings of extremist activities” in front of India’s High Commission and Consulates in Canada that raise issues of safety and security.
“We expect the Canadian Government to ensure the fullest security of Indian diplomatic personnel and its political leaders to refrain from pronouncements that legitimise extremist activism,” the government said.
Trudeau, earlier this week while extending his support to the farmers protest, had said, “I would be remiss if I didn’t start by recognising the news coming out of India about the protests by farmers. The situation is concerning, and we are all very worried about family and friends. I know that’s the reality for many of you.” His political rhetoric drew widespread flak across India.
Incidentally, the Trudeau government has also been a supporter of Khalistanis in Canada.
Not only did the Modi government register its protest against Trudeau’s mollycoddling of Khalistanis, but Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh also expressed his displeasure over the Canadian Prime Minister’s politics, during his visit to India.
The farmers protesting at Delhi-ghazipur border against the three contentious agricultural laws on Friday warned that they will amplify the protest by blocking more roads and choking supply of food products to the national capital if another round of discussion between them and the central government fails to yield results on Saturday.
Rakesh Tikait, Spokesperson of Bharat Kisan Union (BKU), which is spearheading the protest at the border point, said, “farmers want the government to take back the laws and make a fresh drat. Currently, it is for the corporates. The law should be for the farmers and they must be consulted. Either the government will agree to our requests tomorrow or we will keep protesting. More farmers are ready to come here.” Another senior member of the union, on condition of anonymity, said that if the demands are not met, farmers will stay put to even witness the Jan.26 parade and run their tractors on the roads of the national capital.
President of Tarai Kisan Sangathan Tejinder Singh Virk said resonated the same sentiment, “If the government does not accept our demands tomorrow, we will choke the supply of milk, vegetables and fruits going to the national capital. Blocking the roads was a mere first step. We will decide on the next step tomorrow.” Meanwhile, prominent farmer leader and BKU president Balbir Singh Rajewal, who has been holding talks with the Centre, complained of dizziness on Friday and was taken to Fortis Hospital in Gurugram for a check-up.
“Ater having his breakfast, Rajewal ji complained of dizziness. We have taken him to Fortis for check-up,” BKU General Secretary Onkar Singh said over phone.
He said ater undergoing certain tests, he was declared “perfect in health” and allowed to go back.
“Wishing Bharatiya Kisan Union Leader S Balbir Singh Rajewal-ji, who is undergoing a check-up in Fortis Hospital, Delhi, a speedy recovery,” Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said in a tweet.
Asserting that he was not scared of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) or anyone else, Amarinder on Friday slammed all the opposition parties in the state for playing politics with the lives of the farmers to further their own interests.