Farmers Protest

SKM to hold 'dharnas' outside residences of Punjab AAP MLAs on Mar 10

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Thursday announced that it will hold 'dharnas' outside the residences of AAP MLAs on March 10 in protest against the Punjab Police's action against farmers. A decision in this regard was taken by an emergency meeting held by the SKM in Ludhiana. The meeting came a day after the Punjab Police thwarted the farmers' attempt to go to Chandigarh on the SKM's call for a week-long dharna beginning Wednesday, as multiple checkpoints were set up across the state and security was stepped up at all entry points of the Union Territory (UT). The SKM, a conglomerate of more than 30 farmer bodies, had given the call for the sit-in at Chandigarh in support of the farmers' various demands, including purchase of six crops at minimum support price (MSP) by the state government. In the meeting held in Ludhiana on Thursday, the SKM leaders strongly condemned the Punjab Police's action against the farmers. Bharti Kisan Union (Lakhowal) general secretary Harinder Singh

SKM claims Punjab police 'raided' leaders ahead of Chandigarh protest call

Samyukta Kisan Morcha leaders claimed that police conducted "raids" at the residences of many farmer leaders early Tuesday in Punjab and also "detained" them ahead of their call for a protest in Chandigarh on March 5. There was no immediate reaction from the police to the claims. Farmer leaders said the police action came a day after a meeting between Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and SKM leaders broke down. Apprehending police action, several farmer leaders have also gone underground. The SKM has called for a week-long sit-in in Chandigarh starting March 5 in support of their various demands. Bharti Kisan Union (Lakhowal) general secretary Harinder Singh Lakhowal claimed that the Punjab police conducted "raids" at the residences of SKM leaders early morning "With such actions, the government cannot stifle the voice of farmers," Lakhowal said, adding, "We are fighting in support of various farmers' demands." He said police personnel are also deployed at his residence. "It is our

Farmers' protest: SC to hear petitions related to the case after March 19

The Supreme Court on Friday deferred the hearing over the farmers' protest observing two rounds of talks took place between the Centre and the agitating farmers, who have raised several demands, including the legal guarantee for minimum support price for crops. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh said a third round of talks was scheduled on March 19. The bench therefore posted the matter, including petitions seeking contempt action against Punjab government officials over providing medical aid to farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, post March 19. Punjab advocate general Gurminder Singh said two ministers of the state had participated in the meeting. The bench appreciated the work of the apex court-appointed high-powered committee for providing a platform to the agitating farmers to raise grievances and took on record its interim report. The bench, which has kept the report with itself for time being, fixed an honorarium for chairman of the committee Justice (retd)

Agri min Shivraj Chouhan may join central team meeting protesting farmers

A fresh round of talks between protesting farmers and the Centre will be held here on Saturday evening centred around the legal guarantee of minimum support price on crops, among other demands. The meeting between the central team and farmer leaders will take place at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Public Administration in Chandigarh at 6 pm. In the last meeting held on February 14, Union minister Pralhad Joshi had said that Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan would lead the central team for the February 22 meeting with the protesting farmers. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on Saturday said a delegation of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha will take part in the meeting with a positive mind. Farmers expect from the government to resolve their issues at the earliest, he said. Farmers had earlier asked for the next meeting be held in Delhi but the government scheduled it in Chandigarh. Pandher said, "Today the sixth round of talks with th

Pralhad Joshi to head central team in meeting with farmer leaders

Union minister Pralhad Joshi will lead the central team that will hold a meeting with farmers' representatives to discuss their various demands, including a legal guarantee for crop MSP, on Friday, sources said. A 28-member delegation of farmers will participate in the meeting. Joshi -- the Union minister of consumer affairs, food and public distribution -- will lead the central team, the sources said. Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian will also be present, they added. The meeting will be held at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration, Punjab, in Chandigarh. It comes after a year-long protest by farmers over a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for crops, among other demands. A 28-member delegation of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, which are spearheading the ongoing stir, will participate in the meeting, according to farmers. Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on an indefinite fa

Centre should resolve farmers' issues in Feb 14 meeting: Pandher

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on Thursday said that the Centre should resolve the farmers' issues in the upcoming meeting that comes after a year-long protest over legal guarantee to MSP for crops, among other things. The Centre will hold a meeting with Punjab's protesting farmers on February 14 in Chandigarh to discuss their demands, thus ending a stalemate over the resumption of a dialogue with the agitators, who have been demanding a legal guarantee on the MSP for crops. Pandher spoke to the reporters at the Shambhu border point, where a Kisan Mahapanchayat was held to mark the completion of one year of the ongoing agitation. He said that they will make efforts to move the Centre towards resolving the farmers' issues in the meeting. Farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar said that Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on an indefinite fast, will make his best efforts to participate in the meeting to put forth farmers' demands. He said that Dallewal will try to participate in the meeting bu

New setting, old demands: Centre, farmers to revive stalled discussions

With MSP talks set to resume this week, the Centre prepares to pitch assured pulses procurement - aligning with Budget policies - to protesting farmers

Next round of talks with agitating farmers to be held on Feb 14: Govt

The Centre on Tuesday informed Parliament that the sixth round of discussions with agitating farmers in Punjab and Haryana will be held on February 14. In the previous round held last month, the government had proposed a five-year plan for the procurement of certain crops at Minimum Support Prices (MSP), but did not reach a consensus on the farmers' broader demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP. Minister of State for Agriculture Ramnath Thakur, in his written reply to the Lok Sabha, said: "Next round of discussion with the farmers is scheduled on 14th February, 2025". The issues related to agitating farmers and their demands are also sub-judice in the Supreme Court and a committee has also been formed by the apex court, he noted. The Centre had initiated discussions with farmers on their agitation on February 8, 2024. Subsequently, discussions were held on 12th, 15th, 18th February 2024 and January 18, 2025, he added. So far, the central government has engaged in five round

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Centre to meet with farmers on Feb 14; Dallewal agrees to take medical aid

The Centre will hold a meeting with Punjab's protesting farmers on February 14 in Chandigarh to discuss their demands, thus ending a stalemate over the resumption of a dialogue with the agitators, who have been demanding a legal guarantee on the MSP for crops. Following the announcement of the proposed meeting, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, whose fast-unto-death entered the 54th day on Saturday, agreed to take medical aid. However, he will not end his indefinite fast till a legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP) for crops is given, said farmer leader Sukhjit Singh Hardojhande. The breakthrough came after a delegation of officials from the Union agriculture ministry, led by Joint Secretary Priya Ranjan, met Dallewal and held a meeting with the representatives of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, which are spearheading the agitation for the last 11 months. Following the announcement of the meeting on February 14, farmer leaders ...

Centre proposes meeting with protesting farmers on Feb 14 in Chandigarh

The Centre has proposed a meeting with the protesting farmers on February 14 in Chandigarh to discuss their demands, a senior official of the Union government said on Saturday. Following the announcement, farmer leaders appealed to fasting farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, whose fast-unto-death entered 54th day on Saturday, to take medical aid so that he can participate in the proposed meeting. A delegation of Central government officials led by joint secretary rank officer Priya Ranjan met Dallewal at Khanauri and held a meeting with the representatives of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. Earlier, farmers protesting at the Khanauri and Shambhu border points between Punjab and Haryana on Saturday said they have received a proposal from the central government which they will discuss.

Some proposals received from Centre, will discuss it, say agitating farmers

Farmers protesting at the Khanauri and Shambhu border points between Punjab and Haryana on Saturday said they have received a proposal from the central government which they will discuss. "We have got some proposals. Leaders of both the forums are sitting and we will discuss it and then come back," farmer leader Kaka Singh Kotra said, without revealing the contents of the proposal. Kotra's statement came following a two-hour-long meeting with the Union government officials over farmers' demands. Earlier, a delegation of the central government inquired about the health of Dallewal. Farmers, under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 13 last year. The farmers pitched their tents there after security forces refused to allow them to march to Delhi to press for their various demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for their crops. Farmer .

SC seeks Dallewal's health reports to get Aiims medical board's opinion

The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Punjab government for a copy of the health reports of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on an indefinite fast, to be examined for an opinion from the medical board of AIIMS. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh wondered how a person, who had been on fast for nearly 50 days had his health parameters improving and asked the Punjab government chief secretary to submit Dallewal's test reports during the course of the day with apex court registrar. It directed the apex court registrar to communicate the reports to the AIIMS director for an opinion on Dallewal's test reports from the medical board. The top court also noted the Punjab government's submission that authorities are in deliberations with the protesting farmers and they are hopeful of a solution. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Punjab government, said some progress has been made in connection with the shifting of Dallewal to a makeshift hospital,

SC to hear plea for medical aid to farmers' leader Dallewal on Jan 15

The Supreme Court would hear a matter related to the health of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on an indefinite fast pressing for demands, and other pleas on January 15. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh would hear a plea filed on behalf of Dallewal for a direction to the Central government for implementing a proposal, including a legal guarantee of MSP on crops, made to the protesting farmers in 2021 after the farm laws were repealed. The top court had asked the Centre why couldn't the government say its doors were open and it would consider the genuine grievances of farmers protesting over demands, including the legal guarantee of minimum support price for crops. The apex court would also hear a plea seeking contempt action against the Punjab government authorities for not complying with its directions issued over moving Dallewal to a hospital on December 20 last year. On December 12, 2024, Dallewal wrote to several religious leaders for urging the .

Farmer leaders warn of unwanted situation if something happens to Dallewal

Punjab farmer leaders on Tuesday said if something untoward happens to Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is sitting on a fast-unto-death, then the Centre may not be able to handle the situation which could arise thereafter. Farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar stressed that the Centre should resolve the farmers' issues in a serious manner. According to farmers, Dallewal's health is "deteriorating" each passing day and "anything can happen to him". Dallewal, 70, who is the convener of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), has been on the indefinite hunger strike at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana since November 26 over farmers' various demands including a legal guarantee of the minimum support price for crops. Dallewal, whose fast-unto-death entered 43rd day on Tuesday, has so far refused to take any medical aid. Addressing the media, Dr Avtar Singh, who is part of a team from NGO '5 Rivers Heart Association' said Dallewal's health condition worsened on Monday evening.

SC panel meets farmer leader Dallewal amid hunger strike, seeks medical aid

After the Punjab government informed the Supreme Court about a scheduled meeting with septuagenarian farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a SC-appointed panel met him at around 3.30 pm on Monday. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh was informed by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the Punjab government, that the protesting farmers had been persuaded to meet Justice (retd) Nawab Singh, who chairs the apex court-appointed committee. "Some of us have been able to persuade those people under protest to meet Justice (retd) Nawab Singh led committee today at 3 pm. We are hopeful that there will be a breakthrough. Kindly take it up after a couple of days," Sibal said. On hearing this, the bench said, "Let us hope and pray that better sense prevails on everyone." The apex court asked Sibal to prepare a brief note of the deliberations and posted the hearing on January 10. Solicitor general Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, said the committee would file a brief

Farmers at Punjab-Haryana border to meet SC-appointed committee today

A delegation of the protesting farmers at the Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana will be meeting the high-powered committee appointed by the Supreme Court at around 3 pm Monday. Among the protesting farmers is also septuagenarian Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on an indefinite fast for the past 40 days, and whose health concerns has kept the Punjab government on toes with the top court keeping a close watch. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh was informed by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Punjab government that they had managed to persuade the protesting farmers to meet Justice (retd) Nawab Singh, who chairs the committee. "We have managed to persuade them. Kindly post the matter for some other day. We are expecting some breakthrough," Sibal said. "Hope better sense prevails on everyone," the bench said. The apex court asked Sibal to prepare a brief note of the deliberations and posted the hearing on January 10. Solicitor general Tush

DAP subsidy extension aims to facilitate corporate profit: Farmer's body

All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) on Thursday said the Union Cabinet's decision to extend special subsidy on di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) fertiliser would increase corporate profit rather than protect farmers' interests. "The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) views the cabinet decision of the NDA3 Government to extend special subsidy on di-ammonium phosphate DAP as facilitating corporate profit rather than protecting farmers interests," AIKS said in a statement on Thursday. The AIKS said theP of Urea has been statutorily fixed at Rs 266.50 per 45-kg bag since November 2012, but the prices of Muriate of Potash (MoP) increased from Rs 4,455 per tonne in 2009-10 to Rs 34,644 per tonne in 2023 (August). "The price of Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP) increased from Rs 9,350 in 2009-10 to Rs 27,000 per tonne in 2023 (August). On the other hand, the fertiliser subsidy has been slashed substantially in the last three years to the tune of an accumulated sum of Rs 87,339 crore," the farmers' body said. "In

Farmers protest: SC defers hearing on shifting Dallewal to hospital

The Supreme Court on Tuesday deferred its hearing till January 2 on compliance of its order by the Punjab government on shifting of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been fasting for past 35 days over various demands, to hospital. A vacation bench of Justices Surya Kant and Sudhanshu Dhulia listed the matter for further hearing on January 2 after Advocate General Gurminder Singh, appearing for the Punjab government, said that an application has been moved seeking three days more time for compliance of the court's December 20 order. Singh said that a team of negotiators are holdings talks with the protesting farmers at the protest site and efforts are being made to shift Dallewal to the nearby makeshift hospital on Punjab side of Khanauri border. The bench said it does not want to comment on the discussions with the protesting farmers and it only wants compliance of its earlier orders. It recorded the submissions of Singh and adjourned the hearing on the matter. Earlier

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