More than 5,000 farmers associated with the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Wednesday threatened a repeat of the 2020-2021 agitation in case the Centre did not withdraw its proposed Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025. It is likely to be tabled in the forthcoming parliamentary session.
Farmers have called a meeting of the SKM constituents on November 28 to decide the future course of action. The gathering also demanded a rollback on the proposed Seeds Bill and four labour laws. Calling these as a move towards greater centralisation, they also sought the government to withdraw its National Education Policy, 2020.
BKU (Rajewal) president Balbir Singh Rajewal asked the farmers to be ready with their bags, food and clothes for another indefinite protest. “Be prepared for a new battle and it’s more serious this time,” he said.
BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) president Joginder Singh Ugrahan said the Electricity (Amendment) Bill was a sure way of giving control of power distribution to the corporate sector. Smart chip meters as part of the privatisation drive were strong indicators of the way ahead. Similarly, the Seeds Bill would allow seeds, even controversial hybrid varieties, of multinational companies to take control of the agriculture sector.
BKU (Ekta-Dakaunda) state president Buta Singh Burjgill said, “Watch out brothers! Farmers are being pushed to a point of no return.