According to Krishi Jagran correspondents, thousands of farmers are traveling to Delhi to join the event from different states and union territories. Last month, the SKM announced that the "Kisan Mahapanchayat" will be convened to push for a formal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP).
राकेश टिकैत ने महापंचायत में किसानों के मुद्दे पर सरकार को घेरा#kisanmahapanchayat #Farmersprotest #farmers #farmerswithrakeshtikait #MSP pic.twitter.com/SoTUi3ei3x
— Krishi Jagran Official (@kjkrishimedia) March 20, 2023
The farmers' organization, which led a more than a year-long campaign against the now-repealed agricultural legislation, has requested the Centre to disband the committee on MSP since it is allegedly at odds with the aspirations of the farmers.
Pensions, debt forgiveness, restitution for those who perished during the farmers' uprising, and the cancellation of the electricity bill are among the other requests made by the farmers. The organization has also renewed its demands for 300 units of free electricity for rural homes and free power for agricultural uses.
"दिल्ली किसान महापंचायत की झलकियां"#delhi #kisanralley #Farmersprotest pic.twitter.com/xsf6vvx5ay
— Krishi Jagran Official (@kjkrishimedia) March 20, 2023
What are the farmers demanding?
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The farmers need a statutory minimum support price guarantee.
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The union also requests that the MSP committee be disbanded, claiming that it did not support farmers' demands.
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Pensions, debt forgiveness, restitution for those who perished during the farmers' protest, and the retraction of the electricity bill are among the other requests charges that were filed against farmers during the protests were withdrawn.
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"It is necessary to remove the Electricity Amendment Bill, 2022 that was forwarded to the JPC. The Center submitted the measure despite having promised in writing that it would only be introduced in Parliament following consultation with the SKM," according to a statement released by SKM.
"महापंचायत को सम्बोधित करते किसान नेता"#agriculture #Farmersprotest #KisanLongMarch pic.twitter.com/v2ls48q291
— Krishi Jagran Official (@kjkrishimedia) March 20, 2023
According to reports, the farmers' demonstration would last until three o'clock. "In order to present our statement of demands, a group of about 15 SKM leaders will meet with Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar," according to Jagmohan Singh Patiala, general secretary of BKU Dakaunda and a member of the SKM.
"The Government must fulfill the pledges it provided us in writing on December 9, 2021. The Centre must also take concrete efforts to reduce the ever-increasing crisis faced by farmers,” said Morcha leader Darshan Pal said during a news conference.
