The Ministry of Agriculture has invited representatives of 32 farmers’ organisations for a second round of talks on December 3, at Vigyan Bhawan here. But the farmers’ organisations are already gearing up for their “Delhi Chalo” march on November 26-27 against the agriculture laws even as the Central trade unions on Tuesday said that about 25 crore workers are expected to participate in the nationwide general strike on November 26.
Ahead of farmers’ protest march towards Delhi, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced plans to seal borders with Punjab on November 26 and 27. It has issued a travel advisory, asking commuters to avoid certain national highways along the state border with Delhi and Punjab in view of ‘Dilli Chalo’ farmers’ protest.
The meeting comes after farmer leaders laid a condition for another central ministerial meeting while calling off their ‘rail roko’ agitation in Punjab on Monday and lifted the nearly two-month-long blockade, allowing resumption of only goods trains. In a related
development, a farmers’ body blocked a rail track at the Jandiala railway station, 25 km from Amritsar, which forced the railways to divert several Amritsar-bound trains on Tuesday despite that they have agreed to lift blockage for 15 days two days ago.
A letter from Sudhanshu Pandey, secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, addressed to farmers’ representatives stated that minister Narendra Tomar “would like to invite them for the next round of talks on December 3 at Vigyan Bhawan, as it was agreed by both sides that discussions on various farmers’ issues will continue”. The first round of talks was held on November 13, but it remained inconclusive but both sides had agreed to continue negotiations in the future.
On the other hand, farmers across Punjab are getting ready for their protests “Delhi Chalo” on November 26. Enter any village and there’s only one thing in the air, “Delhi Chalo”. From illiterate elderly women to young graduates, all are putting in their all energy to mobilise maximum support for the protest in the national capital. Tractor-trailers fitted with speakers are playing Punjabi songs to ignite passion against the farm laws and collecting ration and other necessary items. Holding flags, youngsters roam villages to disseminate required
information. Rural women are busy organising “jago” singing anti-Central Government songs during the daytime; at night, farmers are organising “mashal” marches.
To support farmers’ cause, 10 central trade unions, employees’ unions in insurance, banking, Railways and State and Central
Government institutions will take part in the bandh, which will begin from November 25 midnight and end on November 26 midnight.
A statement has been issued by a joint forum comprising ten central trade unions -- Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), Trade Union Co-ordination Centre (TUCC), Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), Labour Progressive Federation (LPF) and United Trade Union Congress (UTUC). Notably, cabs, auto-rickshaws, trucks, and other private transportations in Telangana will back the nation-wide bandh.
In a related development, despite their assurance to lift rail blockade for 15 days, a farmers’ body on Tuesday blocked a rail track at the Jandiala railway station, 25 km from Amritsar, which forced the railways to divert several Amritsar-bound trains.
Food bowl Punjab is at the centre stage of a farmers’ agitation against moves to open up agricultural markets in the country and bring sweeping reforms to the farm sector, which supports nearly half the population.