Kisan Congress chief writes to PM Modi saying Centre betrayed farmers

Accusing the Centre of having “betrayed” the farmers, the All India Kisan Congress on Tuesday (December 6) wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, pointing out that nothing has been done so far about some of their “other pressing issues” even a year after they suspended their farmers agitation.

“Farmers have been left with no option, but to stage a protest on December 9 in New Delhi as the Central government has so far not taken any confidence building initiative,” said All India Kisan Congress (AIKC) president Sukhpal Singh Khaira, in his letter to PM Modi.

Besides, he highlighted the “plight” of the tillers and reiterated the demand of legal guarantee for MSP for all crops.

The AIKC also demanded the dismissal of Union minister of state for home Ajay Mishra Teni over the Lakhimpur Kheri violence, release of “innocent” farmers imprisoned in the case, withdrawal of “fake cases” registered against farmers in various states during the farmers’ agitation and compensation to families of the deceased farmers.

Also read: Farmers wrap up agitation; march home with dance, music and a smile

In his letter to PM Modi, Khaira said it is almost one year since tens of thousands of farmers lifted their sit-in and suspended their agitation in December 2021 following the PM’s assurance and withdrawal of three farm laws.

“Besides the withdrawal of three laws, farmers were promised about some other pressing issues, which are matters of life and death for them. But nothing has been done on those demands so far. Farmers have been left with no option, but to stage a protest on December 9 in New Delhi as the Central government has so far not taken any confidence building initiative,” Khaira said.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, Khaira said the Centre has not taken any concrete step in the direction of fulfilling the promises made at the time of withdrawal of the three “anti-farmer” laws.

Also read: Farmers withdraw agitation after Centre’s assurance on MSP

He stressed that the MSP should be guaranteed using the C2+50 per cent formula, based on the recommendation of the Swaminathan Commission report. Further, in his letter, the AIKC chief demanded that the committee constituted by the Centre for this purpose should be dismissed, and a new committee should be constituted with due representation of farmers and farmer organisations.

He also demanded that the rate of interest on farmers’ loans be reduced by at least 50 per cent and loans of farm labourers be completely written off. Khaira also wanted the implementation of a farmer pension scheme of ₹5,000 per month for all small, medium and marginal farmers and farm labourers.