Download : CIRCULAR NO. 28/278/2021/2 dated 06/01/2020
Dear Comrades,
1)Farmers continue their struggle as Government remains negative
2)Let us step up our support to the struggle of the farmers
All of us are observing that the Government is remaining adamant to the demands of the farmers and hence the struggle of the farmers continues. Even in the latest round of negotiations with the farmers’ representatives, the Government has shown their inflexible approach. Hence the farmers have decided to intensify their agitation.
It is amazing that despite the various machinations, maneuvers, and propaganda to weaken and divide their protests, the farmers are remaining united and keeping their cool. They are not getting provoked but are getting more determined, they are not getting frustrated but are getting more courageous, they are not wavering or vacillating but are getting more resolute.
There are reports that about 50 to 60 agitators have lost their lives during this period of struggle but this does not deter the farmers to continue. This has not dampened their spirits and guts to fight.
As well all know, that the weather conditions around Delhi is extremely unfavourable. Despite that, the farmers are braving the climatic hurdles and are fighting with full conviction and enthusiasm.
All of us would appreciate that the demands of their struggle is not their demands alone but are in fact the demands of the entire people. If farmers face problem, it would affect the farm sector. If farm sector is facing difficulty, it would have impact on the economy. If economy is affected, all of us are affected. Hence the demands of the farmers are the demands of all of us. If the 3 farm legislations are allowed to be implemented, it will have serious implications.
Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020 : This Act means to bypass the state-level APMC Acts and can hence be referred to as the APMC Bypass Act. This Act limits APMC’s jurisdiction to the APMC ‘market yard’. Outside of the market yard, entities are free to transact in agricultural produce. So the market will go out of the control of the farmers.
Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 : This Act provides that the stocking limits are not prescribed except when prices go up 100%. Hence big businesses can pile up huge stocks without any restrictions and manipulate the market as well as the price. Already there are reports that some favourites of the Government have built up very huge godowns to stock.
Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 : This Act enables contract farming to the detriment of marginal farmers and there is every danger that the corporates will grab the lands of the farmers. Hence the apprehensions of the farmers are genuine and their demand fior repeal of the Acts is justified. If these Acts are beneficial to the farmers, the Government could have had a detailed discussions in the Parliament and convinced everyone. Why in such a naked hurry, why negating all democratic principles, the Bills were made into Acts ?
1.Hence we extend our full support to the struggle of the farmers. We call upon all our unions to participate in the local programmes that are being arranged by the Local Struggle Committees of the farmers and trade unions.
2.We have contacted our Delhi State Bank Employees Federation to plan and arrange some solidarity programmes at the venues
of the agitation of the farmers. We will co-ordinate with the neighboring States in these programmes.
We reproduce herein the Joint Statement issued by the Central Trade Unions today in support of the agitation by farmers.
Yours comradely,
C.H. VENKATACHALAM GENERAL SECRETARY