4 years ago
New Delhi:
The new farm laws legislated by the central government will help bring down barriers between agricultural and associated sectors, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today, reiterating that his government was committed towards the welfare of farmers. When one sector grows, its effect is seen on several other sectors, PM Modi said while speaking at the virtual 93rd Annual Convention of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
Here are the live updates on farmers' protests:
Ready For Talks, But Will First Discuss Repealing Farm Laws: Farmer Leaders
Sticking to their demands, farmer leaders Saturday said they are ready to hold talks with the government, but will first discuss repealing the three new farm laws, and announced that representatives of their unions would sit on a hunger strike during a nationwide protest on December 14.
Addressing a press conference at Singhu Border, farmer leader Kanwalpreet Singh Pannu also said that thousands of farmers will start their ''Delhi Chalo'' march with their tractors from Rajasthan's Shahjahanpur through the Jaipur-Delhi Highway at 11 am on Sunday.
The distance between Shahjahanpur and Delhi-Gurgaon border is around 94 kilometres.
Spelling out their strategy to make the agitation even "bigger", the farmer leader announced that their mothers, sisters and daughters will also join them soon, and that arrangements for their stay are being made at the protest sites.
Sticking to their demands, farmer leaders Saturday said they are ready to hold talks with the government, but will first discuss repealing the three new farm laws, and announced that representatives of their unions would sit on a hunger strike during a nationwide protest on December 14.
Addressing a press conference at Singhu Border, farmer leader Kanwalpreet Singh Pannu also said that thousands of farmers will start their ''Delhi Chalo'' march with their tractors from Rajasthan's Shahjahanpur through the Jaipur-Delhi Highway at 11 am on Sunday.
The distance between Shahjahanpur and Delhi-Gurgaon border is around 94 kilometres.
Spelling out their strategy to make the agitation even "bigger", the farmer leader announced that their mothers, sisters and daughters will also join them soon, and that arrangements for their stay are being made at the protest sites.
2nd Group Of Farmers Meet Agriculture Minister With "Letter Of Support"
A group of 29 farmer leaders from Haryana met Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar today to show support to the new farm laws, amid an escalating protest by farmers who want the laws to be withdrawn.
The delegation led by Bharatiya Kisan Union (Mann) leader Guni Prakash gave a "letter of support" to Mr Tomar on the farm laws passed by parliament in September.
"We will also protest if the government repeals the laws. We have given a memorandum to all districts," Mr Prakash told reporters after the meeting. Read
A group of 29 farmer leaders from Haryana met Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar today to show support to the new farm laws, amid an escalating protest by farmers who want the laws to be withdrawn.
The delegation led by Bharatiya Kisan Union (Mann) leader Guni Prakash gave a "letter of support" to Mr Tomar on the farm laws passed by parliament in September.
"We will also protest if the government repeals the laws. We have given a memorandum to all districts," Mr Prakash told reporters after the meeting. Read
Breakthrough With Farmers Likely In 24-48 Hours, Says Dushyant Chautala
Farmers protesting the centre's new agricultural laws are likely to reach an understanding with the government in the next 24 to 48 hours, Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala said on Saturday in a surprising claim that coincided with demonstrators vowing to intensify their agitation.
Mr Chautala, who's Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) counts farmers as an important constituency and has faced prickly questions about his alliance with the BJP amid the mounting protests, met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar earlier in the day.
Farmers protesting the centre's new agricultural laws are likely to reach an understanding with the government in the next 24 to 48 hours, Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala said on Saturday in a surprising claim that coincided with demonstrators vowing to intensify their agitation.
Mr Chautala, who's Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) counts farmers as an important constituency and has faced prickly questions about his alliance with the BJP amid the mounting protests, met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar earlier in the day.
Farmers Occupy Tolls, Allow Vehicles To Pass Without Paying Fee
Three weeks after thousands of farmers launched a massive agitation against the new agricultural laws near Delhi's borders, dramatic visuals this afternoon showed the protesters occupying toll plazas near the national capital as vehicles were allowed to pass without paying a fee.
Despite huge police presence at the entry points and toll plazas in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddha Nagar district, several protesters - backed by the Bharatiya Kisan Union - occupied a toll plaza near National Highway-91 and allowed passage of vehicles without paying toll fee. Read
Three weeks after thousands of farmers launched a massive agitation against the new agricultural laws near Delhi's borders, dramatic visuals this afternoon showed the protesters occupying toll plazas near the national capital as vehicles were allowed to pass without paying a fee.
Despite huge police presence at the entry points and toll plazas in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddha Nagar district, several protesters - backed by the Bharatiya Kisan Union - occupied a toll plaza near National Highway-91 and allowed passage of vehicles without paying toll fee. Read
We want MSP of all our produce including potatoes, sugarcane, grains, vegetables & milk. We don't want this guarantee in written form but we want a law for MSP now: Dungar Singh, Farmer Leader from Uttar Pradesh https://t.co/domYnFPeKX pic.twitter.com/T6KxBETlsk
- ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2020
Taking to Twitter, social activist Yogendra Yadav, who is part of the ongoing protests, said farmers from areas in Rajasthan and Haryana are assembling on Saturday and their ''Delhi Chalo'' march would begin on Sunday.
दिल्ली जयपुर हाइवे से दिल्ली कूच का अपडेट। #FarmersProtest https://t.co/jlmYETfyoR
- Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) December 12, 2020
Security at Delhi borders increased after farmers'' announcement to intensify stir
The Delhi Police has increased deployment of personnel and placed more concrete barriers at various border points as farmers have announced that they will intensify their protest against the Centre's new agri laws, with plans to block the Delhi-Jaipur highway and the Yumuna Expressway.
There is no protest yet on Delhi's borders with Gurgaon and at other points of National Highway-8 that connects the national capital with Jaipur, a senior police officer was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
"So far, there is no protest at Delhi-Gurgaon border. There is no disruption in traffic movement. However, we have proper security arrangements in place to deal with any situation," the officer said.
Farm laws will transfer Indian agriculture to the corporates, says Left party members
Left party members join in support of farmer unions protest against Centre's new farm laws in Krishna District in Andhra Pradesh.
"We ask the central government. to withdraw these three anti-people laws. These laws will transfer Indian agriculture to the corporates," says a union member.
Farmers protest news: Dushyant Chautala meets Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi
Deputy Chief Minister of Haryana, Dushyant Chautala meets Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi. Mr Chautala, whose party is an ally of the BJP in Haryana, has said he would resign from his post if he is unable to secure the minimum support price (MSP) guarantee for farmers. "Our party's national president already made it clear that MSP must be ensured to farmers. The written proposals given by the Central government to the protesting farmers include a provision for MSPs. I will work to secure MSP for farmers as long as I am in power," he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Farmers' Protest: Kapil Sibal's Jibe At Prime Minister: Modi Ji, You Never ListenedAs the protest by the farmers, camping at the Delhi borders, against the Centre's agricultural reforms enters 17th day today, Congress leader Kapil Sibal took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he never listens to the grievances of the farmers."
"Farm Laws Will Bring Down Walls Between Agriculture, Other Sectors": PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the virtual 93rd Annual Convention of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry today, said that the new farm laws legislated by the central government a few months ago will help bring down barriers between agricultural and associated sectors, creating new markets for farmers who will gain from technological advances and investments.
The Prime Minister said that when one sector grows, its effect is seen on several other sectors.
"But imagine what would happen when unnecessary walls are erected between industries. No industry will grow as fast as it should," PM Modi said. (Read full story here)
Farmers protest news: Farmers associated with Bharatiya Kisan Union march towards Delhi.
Farmers associated with Bharatiya Kisan Union march towards Delhi. "With this march we want to give a message to the government to listen to our issues," says Rakesh Tikait, Spokesperson, Bharatiya Kisan Union. (ANI)
PM Modi never listens to grievances of farmers, says Congress's Kapil Sibal
Congress leader Kapil Sibal said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi never listens to the grievances of the farmers.
"Agitating Farmers; Prime Minister says:''Say something and listen to something (kuchh kahiye kuchh suniye);Since 2014 Modi ji:''You said everything and never listened,(aap ne sab kuchh kaha aur kabhi bhi na sunna)," Kapil Sibal tweeted.
Farmer bills 2020: RLP leader Hanuman Beniwal begins demonstration march towards Delhi
Rashtriya Loktantrik Party leader Hanuman Beniwal begins a demonstration march towards Delhi.
"Thousands of farmers will meet in Kothputli and then decide the further course of action. Government should work to raise the MSP and also listen to farmers," said Mr Beniwal, who represents Nagaur in parliament.
Traffic Alert
- Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) December 12, 2020
Singhu,Auchandi,Piau Maniyari & Mangesh borders are closed. Please take alternate routes via Lampur,Safiabad,Saboli & Singhu school toll tax borders.
Traffic has been diverted from Mukarba & GTK road.
Pl avoid Outer Ring Rd ,GTK road,NH 44
This toll has been free since 12 am last night. Some farmers had come & it has been done for their agitation. We haven't received any order yet as to how long this will continue but farmers are saying that this will remain free till 12 am tonight: Ravi Tiwari, toll plaza incharge https://t.co/VeowTqN64W pic.twitter.com/IAq5RqUPv7
- ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2020
Farmer protest news: Will Quit If No Minimum Price For Farmers, says Haryana Deputy Chief Minister
Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala on Friday said he would resign from his post if he is unable to secure the minimum support price (MSP) guarantee for farmers. "Our party's national president already made it clear that MSP must be ensured to farmers. The written proposals given by the Central government to the protesting farmers include a provision for MSPs. I will work to secure MSP for farmers as long as I am in power," he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. (Read full story here)
Farmer protest news: PM Modi led government's effort to reach out to farmers, says sources
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke more than 25 times on farm reforms and led the government's effort to reach out to farmers, top sources said on Friday, challenging the perception that the new farm laws at the core of massive protests were enacted without enough consultation.
"PM spoke more than 25 times, more than 2.23 crore SMS were sent to farmers in October and 1,37,054 webinars were held that reached out to 92 lakhs farmers and the Agriculture Minister (Narendra Tomar) had multiple meetings," said sources.
#WATCH Haryana: Farmers closed Bastara toll plaza in Karnal late last night, as part of their agitation against the three #FarmLaws by Centre. pic.twitter.com/5fv4ZY5UTt
- ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2020
Farmers protest: Delhi Traffic Police informs commuters about closed routes amid farmers' protest
The Delhi Traffic Police today tweeted to inform commuters about routes closed for traffic in view of a large number of farmers camping at the Delhi's borders.
Available Open Borders to Haryana are following Borders--Jharoda (Only Single Carriageway/Road), Daurala, Kapashera, Badusarai, Rajokri NH 8, Bijwasan/Bajghera, Palam Vihar and Dundahera Borders," Delhi Traffic Police tweeted today.
" Tikri, Dhansa Borders are closed for any Traffic Movement. Jhatikara Borders is open only for two-wheelers and pedestrian movement," Delhi Traffic Police added.
The chilla and Gazipur borders are closed for traffic from Noida and Gaziabad to Delhi due to farmers'' protests. People are advised to take an alternate route for coming to Delhi via Anand Vihar, DND, Apsara and bhopra borders.
"Singhu, Auchandi, Piau Maniyari and Mangesh borders are closed. Please take alternate routes via Lampur, Safiabad, Saboli and Singhu school toll tax borders. Traffic has been diverted from Mukarba and GTK road. Pl avoid Outer Ring Rd, GTK Road, NH 44," Delhi Traffic Police added.
The farmer protests entered their third week today. Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, are camping near the Delhi border to get the farm laws repealed.
10 Central Trade Unions announce their support to farmer protests
10 Central Trade Unions have announced their support to protesting Farmer Unions.
"The Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions and Independent Sectoral Federations/Associations reiterate their wholehearted support to the ongoing united struggles of the farmers demanding scrapping of draconian Agri-laws, Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2020 and legislation guaranteeing MSP," CITU said in a statement.
Farmer protest updates: Plea in Supreme Court seeking scrapping of farm laws
A petition was filed on Friday in the Supreme court by the Bharatiya Kisan Union that sought repeal of the three "arbitrary" laws. The top court has already issued notices to the centre on a batch of petitions challenging the laws.
Farmer protest news: 3,500 police personnel deployed at the five toll plazas inear Delhi-Haryana border
At least 3,500 policemen are on duty in Gurgaon and 3,500 policemen are on duty in Faridabad to stop the protesters, officials have said. The two cities in Haryana share borders with Delhi.
Protesting farmers are gearing to intesify their protests against the controversial farm laws passed earlier this year. They have announced plan to block Delhi-Jaipur highway today as their talks with the centre fail to break the deadlock. As many as 3,500 police personnel have been deployed at the five toll plazas in the area.
