Lekha G
Haryana and Punjab farmers to observe “Black Day” in Delhi to mark six months of the Centre passing the controversial farm laws.
The Bharat Kisan Union (BKU) leader, Gurnam Singh Charuni to lead the march to the Singhu border point near Delhi, where the farmers would perform “Langar Seva” for a week.
Mr. Charuni defending the allegations of the Centre that the protests might result in surge of the Covid-19 cases said, “The Government is blaming the farmers only to hide its own ineptitude. It has no ambulances, beds or hospitals. We have our own compulsions, but why is the Government organising programmes where crowds gather?”
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar contended that the demand of the farmers at a time of a raging pandemic was unjustified and would resume talks only if the farmer’s union offered an alternative apart from repeal of the laws.
He also cited the success of the rabi marketing season in Punjab and Haryana as an example to prove the Centre’s intention and commitment to farmers.
The farmers have also further demanded a legal entitlement to Minimum Support Price (MSP).
Thousands of farmers have been protesting for months against the Central Government’s agricultural laws passed last year namely The Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce Act, 2020, The Farmer’s Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.