SKM submits memo to guv, seeks legal guarantee for MSP
: A Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) delegation on Saturday submitted a memorandum to Punjab governor Banwarilal Purohit, seeking implementation of their various demands, including legally guaranteed minimum support price (MSP), withdrawal of the Electricity Amendment Bill and ₹10,000 per month pensions to farmers above 60 years of age.
The SKM, representatives of 33 farmer bodies in the state, also took out a march to mark the second anniversary of their agitation against the now-repealed three farm laws.
The farmers, who came in large numbers from across the state, took out the march from Gurdwara Amb Sahib in Mohali up to the Chandigarh-Mohali border from where a representative of the Punjab governor accepted a memorandum on his behalf.
Heavy barricading by Punjab and Chandigarh police was done to thwart any bid of the farmers to enter the state capital, with DGPs of both Punjab and Chandigarh inspecting the police preparedness.
Later, a delegation of farmer leaders, including Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Harinder Singh Lakhowal and Harmeet Singh Kadian were taken in a bus by the Chandigarh police to Raj Bhawan for a meeting with the governor where they submitted the memorandum addressed to the President of India.
Speaking to reporters after meeting the governor, farmer leader Harmeet Singh Kadian said the governor assured the farmer leaders that he would send their memorandum to the President on Sunday.
The SKM had given a call for taking out marches to Raj Bhawans across the country to mark two years since it launched the agitation against the now-repealed three farm laws.
In the memorandum, the leaders had condemned the Centre for allegedly betraying the farmers by not implementing the assurances made last year on demands like legally guaranteed MSP, and withdrawal of the Electricity Bill among others, and withdrawal of all cases against farmers, though almost one year has now passed.
Earlier, farmers gathered in Mohali and also held a rally on Saturday. A large number of protesters, including women from several parts of the state, participated in the gathering.
Addressing the gathering, farmer leader Darshan Pal asked the centre to ensure legally guaranteed MSP on all crops.
Pal further said that farmers are in debt and were forced to end their lives and demanded from the government to waive their entire debt.
The farmer leader also sought a pension of ₹10,000 per month for small and marginal farmers and farm labourers.
Among other demands, Pal sought withdrawal of the Electricity Amendment Bill 2022, dismissal of Union minister of state for home affairs Ajay Mishra, a comprehensive crop insurance scheme to compensate farmers for crop loss due to natural calamities, withdrawal of cases registered against farmers during the agitation against the now-repealed three farm laws and compensation to families of farmers who lost their lives during the stir.
The SKM, a body of farmers’ unions that spearheaded the agitation against the agri laws, has also called a meeting on December 8 in Karnal to decide the future course of the movement.