Bharat Bandh call by farmers: Will offices, banks remain shut? Read Here

PTC Web Desk: In a significant move, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and central trade unions have jointly announced a Gramin Bharat Bandh, a nationwide strike scheduled for February 16. This call for protest aims to amplify the voices of farmers and workers, pressing for their demands before the Central Government. As tensions rise at the Punjab-Haryana border, the SKM urges unity among like-minded farmer organisations to participate in this day-long strike.

Hundreds of farmers from Punjab, marching towards Delhi, have faced resistance at the Punjab-Haryana border near Ambala. The Haryana security forces deployed tear gas to disperse the protesters, signaling a determined effort to prevent their entry into the national capital. 

Gramin Bharat Bandh: Impact on Various Sectors

The Gramin Bharat Bandh is anticipated to have widespread repercussions, affecting transportation, agricultural activities, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) rural works, private offices, village shops, and rural industrial and service sector institutions. The strike is scheduled to be in effect from 6 am to 4 pm. Emergency services such as ambulance operations, newspaper distribution, marriage events, medical shops, and students going for board exams are expected to operate without disruptions during the strike.

Farmers' Demands

The primary focus of the farmers' demands is centered around a law guaranteeing a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their produce. Additionally, they are advocating for the strengthening of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGS), the reinstatement of the old pension scheme, and ensuring pension and social security for all workers in formal and informal sectors. The SKM's letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlines specific demands, including MSP based on the Swaminathan formula, legal procurement guarantees, debt waivers, no increase in electricity tariffs, and other crucial reforms.

Government-Appointed Panel on MSP

Despite the farmers' persistent demands, the fate of the government-appointed panel on MSP, formed after the 2021 farmers' protest, remains uncertain. The Gramin Bharat Bandh adds pressure on the government to address these critical issues.

'Dilli Chalo' Protest and Police Preparedness

Farmers from Punjab continue their 'Dilli Chalo' protest, camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders. The Delhi Police, anticipating the movement, has ordered more than 30,000 tear gas shells to prevent the entry of protesting farmers into the national capital. This proactive measure underlines the government's commitment to maintaining law and order.

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