In light of the “Bharat Bandh,” Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi convened an emergency meeting of the newly reconstituted Council of Ministers today.
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) issued the bandh demand in protest of three agriculture legislation.
The Council of Ministers approved a resolution expressing solidarity with the farmers and their demands, according to a statement released by the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
Mr Channi described these rules as “anti-farmers” and “anti-food security,” saying they pose a serious threat to farmers’ livelihoods and future generations.
The Chief Minister stated that the State Assembly’s earlier decisions in favour of the state farmers’ demand to repeal these laws should be granted by the Centre immediately and without further delay.
The state government had already stated explicitly its commitment to the resolutions passed by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on August 28, 2020, and October 20, 2020, stating that all genuine demands of the farmers must be granted, according to the press release.
It called on the government to “repeal the Farm Laws as Agriculture is a State Subject under the Indian Constitution, and to make the Minimum Support Price (MSP) a statutory right.”
It applauded the Supreme Court’s decision to stay the central legislation as a recognition of the concerns of Punjab’s farmers who are challenging the farm regulations.
“Because these legislations affect the future of millions of farmers across the country, there is a need for broad-based discourse and comprehensive consultation with all stakeholders,” it added. “All genuine demands of the farmers must be acknowledged.”
The Chief Minister expressed his sympathies with the families of farmers who have died as a result of the ongoing agitation, emphasising the importance of regaining their trust, noting that the Congress government has always remained steady in support of their demands from the beginning.
He directed all ministers to travel to the homes of the deceased farmers and hand out appointment letters for government positions to their relatives. He stated that almost 155 such appointment letters are in the works and will be delivered to them within a week.
