The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), along with central trade unions, have called for a Gramin Bharat Bandh (nationwide strike) on Friday to press forth their demands before the Centre amid the ongoing protest by the farmers on Delhi borders.
The bandh was called after the ‘Delhi Chalo’ agitation, spearheaded by SKM splinter group Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, faced tear gas shells near Ambala and Jind protesters tried to break past police barricades set up by the Haryana Police to stop them from heading to the national capital.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) has urged all like-minded farmer organisations to unite and take part in the Bharat bandh. The day-long protest will begin at 6 am and end at 4 pm. The farmers will participate in a chakka jam on major roads across the country from 12 pm to 4 pm.
WHAT WILL REMAIN CLOSED
According to a Hindustan Times report, transportation, agricultural activities, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) rural works, private offices, village shops, and rural industrial and service sector institutions are likely to remain shut on Friday, February 16.
Some reports claimed meat and liquor shops may also remain closed during this period. However, there was no official confirmation of the same.
Emergency services such as ambulance operations, newspaper distribution, marriage, medical shops, students going for board exams, etc, are reportedly unlikely to be affected during the strike.
According to a report on Mint, the Punjab state board is scheduled to hold the science examination for Class 10 on February 16, on the day of the Gramin Bharat bandh. Therefore, the Democratic Teachers Front, Punjab has requested the state government to defer the exam. They said that students, as well as teachers, may face a problem in reaching their centers.
The association has extended its support to the Gramin Bharat Bandh call.
FARMERS’ DEMANDS
In a letter to the Prime Minister, the SKM mentioned their demands, including MSP for all crops based on the Swaminathan formula of C2+50 (input cost of capital+50%), the legal guarantee of procurement, debt waiver, no hike in electricity tariff and no smart meters.
They also demanded free 300 units of power for farming for domestic use and shops, comprehensive crop insurance, and a hike in pensions to Rs 10,000 per month among others.
“Your ministers have been hesitant to talk with the SKM while being more interested in talking with other platforms to project that the farmers’ movement is divided to escape from your constitutional responsibility of solving the problems that distress the farmers,” the SKM said.
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