Haryana farmers block roads as Rajya Sabha debates farm bills

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar has moved the three contentious farm bills in Rajya Sabha, kicking off a major show down with the Opposition. Congress asserted that it will “not sign on the death warrant”. The farmers continue to protest across states, especially in Punjab and Haryana despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assurances.

The three farm bills—Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill; and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill- were passed by the Lok Sabha recently.
While the farmers and the Opposition have termed the farm bills as “anti-farmer” which would leave them at the “mercy” of big corporates, the Centre says it would open up new opportunities for them to make them “atma-nirbhar [self-reliant]”

In Haryana, the farmers have decided to block all roads, including highways. Additional Chief Secretary (home) Vajai Vardhan has asked the officers to deal with protesters with “tact and patience”. However, he added that “they (protesters) should not be allowed to take law in their hands and prompt action be taken against those found to be indulging in loot, arson or damage to life, property or vehicles”.

While the ruling dispensation appears to have the numbers despite strong opposition from the Congress and other parties to clear the Bills, some key BJP leaders are said to be in touch with various regional outfits to seek support from their Upper House members for these bills.

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