On Thursday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann asserted that the Centre was attempting to “reintroduce” the agricultural laws that had been repealed. Mann was alluding to the recently released draft of the National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing. Mann also accused the Centre of failing to engage in discussions with the farmers and of ignoring their concerns.
The Punjab government, which is governed by the AAP, has characterized the draft as an attempt to “reintroduce the three central agricultural laws passed in 2020 through a backdoor.” After a yearlong protest by farmers, the Centre repealed the three agricultural laws in 2021.
“The farm laws that were previously repealed had been reinstated by the Centre.” Mann stated at a press conference in Chandigarh, “They are currently attempting to reintroduce these in an alternative manner.”
He accused the Centre of failing to engage in dialogue with the protesting farmers at the Punjab-Haryana border and expressed apprehension regarding the health of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a hunger strike for 38 days.
He asserted that the demands of the farmers are related to the Centre and that there has been no conversation or progress on those issues. He maintained that negotiations between the Centre and farmers were terminated subsequent to the Lok Sabha elections of the previous year.
The Punjab bandh has caused a loss of Rs 100 crore to the state’s economy. The Chief Minister stated that the people of Delhi were not affected, despite the inconvenience experienced by the general populace.
Since February 13, 2018, farmers have been camped at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana under the aegis of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. This action was taken in response to the security forces’ interruption of their march to Delhi. They have been agitating with a number of demands, one of which is a legal guarantee for a minimum support price (MSP) for crops.
The Centre and the farmers’ representatives in Chandigarh had engaged in numerous sessions of negotiations, and Mann himself attempted to mediate the matter; however, no significant progress was made.
Mann stated, “The central government must promptly begin discussions and address the farmers’ concerns.” If this situation persists, an increasing number of farmers will be at risk of losing their lives in this conflict.
He emphasized that Dallewal’s health was of the utmost importance and that the Punjab government had taken all necessary measures to guarantee his safety.
He stated that Dallewal had been on a fast for 38 days, and a team of 50 physicians was present at Khanauri to watch over his health.
“The day before yesterday, I personally conversed with Dallewal and encouraged him to terminate his fast.” The central government has not communicated with him, despite the fact that his fast has persisted for 38 days. The Chief Minister stated that the farmers’ demands are all related to the Centre; however, they have not been invited to participate in discussions.
The Punjab government is currently being investigated by the Supreme Court for failing to fulfill its obligations to provide medical assistance to Dallewal.
Mann stated that the central government should relinquish its “stubborn attitude” and engage in dialogue with them. “Problems can only be resolved through dialogue.” “We will not implement the new agricultural policy in Punjab,” he further stated.
In the interim, the Supreme Court’s distinguished committee extended an invitation to convene on Friday to deliberate on matters concerning farmers. Nevertheless, SKM has declined to participate, contending that the court’s involvement in the matter was superfluous. “The farmers’ opposition to the policies of the Centre was the foundation of the protest,” the union stated.
