Lakhs of farmers on way to Delhi for 'kisan mahapanchayat' on Monday: SKM

NEW DELHI: In order to take part in the 'kisan mahapanchayat' that will be held at Ramlila Maidan on March 20, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Sunday said that lakhs of farmers from all over the nation were en route to Delhi.
Last month, the SKM, a coalition of farmers' unions, announced that a 'kisan mahapanchayat' would be organized to press a legal assurance for the minimum support price (MSP).
For the 'kisan mahapanchayat', lakhs of farmers from various states and union territories are headed to Delhi, according to a statement from the SKM.
Addressing a press conference here, SKM leader Darshan Pal said, "The Centre must fulfil the assurances it gave to us in writing on December 9, 2021 and also take effective steps to mitigate the ever-increasing crisis faced by farmers."
The SKM spearheaded an over a year-long agitation against the Centre's now-repealed farm laws. It suspended the movement in December 2021 following a government assurance to consider the farmers' pending demands, including the withdrawal of cases lodged against farmers during the agitation and a legal guarantee for MSP.
The SKM has also urged the centre to dissolve the committee on MSP that was constituted by the Centre, alleging that it is contrary to the demands of the farmers.
Farmers' demands also include pension, debt waiver, compensation for those who died during the farmers' stir and withdrawal of the Electricity Bill.
"The Electricity Amendment Bill, 2022 referred to the JPC should be withdrawn. The Centre had given a written assurance that the bill will be introduced in Parliament only after discussion with the SKM but despite this, it introduced the bill," the SKM statement said.
It also reiterated the demand for free power for agricultural purposes and 300 units for rural households.
(With inputs from PTI)