Bharat Bandh tomorrow despite the fact that hundreds of farmers from Punjab who were marching have been stopped close to Ambala, the state’s border with Haryana. To force their demands on the Centre, a number of farmer’s unions, including the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, have called for a nationwide strike, or Gramin Bharat Bandh, on Friday 16 February. All farmers organizations with similar goals should band together and participate in the central trade union February 16 Gramin Bharat Bandh, according to Samyukta Kisan Morcha. The call for a Bharat Bandh coincided with the arrest of hundreds of farmers who were marching from Punjab to the state’s border with Haryana, which is located about 200 kilometers from Delhi near Ambala.
To try to disperse them, Haryana police have exposed them to tear gas. According to a source close to the Delhi Police, if the demonstrators move forward , they will not be allowed to enter the nation’s capital. All farmers organizations with similar goals have been urged to join forces and participate in the Bharat Bandh by the no-political Samyukta Kisan Morcha. The protest will start at 6 a.m. and run until 4 p.m. Due to the nationwide strike by farmers unions on Friday, February 16, It is anticipated that transportation, agriculture activities, rural works under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, private offices, village shops and rural commercial and service sector institutions will remain closed.
According to some reports, there is no chance that emergency services like ambulance services, newspaper distribution, marriage, medical shops, board exam preparation, etc., will be impacted during the strike.
What demands do farmers have?
Farmers are once again demonstrating in Punjab and Haryana ‘s streets, demanding legislation that would ensure a Minimum Support Price or MSP for their produce. In addition, the farmers went to guarantee social security and pensions for all workers in the formal and unofficial sectors, reinforced the MGNREGS and brought back the previous pension plan.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the SKM requested an MSP for crops centered on the Swaminathan formula of C2 50, a Leal procurement guarantee, debt forgiveness, no increase in electricity rates and the removal of smart meters.
Among other things, they wanted a raise in pension to Rs 10,000 per month, comprehensive crop insurance and 300 free units of power for farming for both domestic use and shops. What became of the MSP panel appointed by the government following the protest of farmers in 2021?Emergency services like ambulance ride, marriages, hospital, school and so forth won’t be impacted on Friday during the Bharat Bandh.
