Bathinda: The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), along with several trade unions, marked the anniversary of the Quit India Movement on Monday by holding protest demonstrations across Punjab and parts of other states against Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).During the protests, participants opposed the proposed India-US Free Trade Agreement and other FTAs, alleging that such agreements would adversely affect farmers, workers and rural livelihoods.The protesters also reiterated a wide-ranging set of demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP at C2+50% with assured procurement of all crops, a comprehensive farm loan waiver to address rural indebtedness, and compensation of Rs 25 lakh for families of farmers who died by suicide.Other demands included scrapping the four labour codes, fixing a minimum wage of Rs 26,000 a month for all workers, restoration of MGNREGA with 200 days of guaranteed employment and daily wages of Rs 700, withdrawal of the proposed Electricity Privatisation Bill, 2025, Seed Bill, 2025, and NFSA Amendment Bill, and protection of land rights under the provisions of the LARR Act, 2013.The SKM also opposed forcible land acquisition and what it termed pro-corporate land pooling policies.“If the BJP-led Centre continues to violate its written assurance of Dec 9, 2021, including commitments on MSP and loan waiver, and fails to accept the demand charter, the SKM will intensify its struggle,” the organisation said in a statement.The farmers’ body announced that it would submit a charter of demands on Aug 17 to the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, chief ministers, leaders of opposition in states, MPs and MLAs, seeking action on its key demands.
