Farmers’ Protests and Supreme Court Committee Update

January 6, 2025

Recent events have intensified the ongoing farmers’ protests at the Punjab-Haryana border. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Political) has declined to engage with a high-powered committee established by the Supreme Court to address their demands. On January 4, the Bharti Kisan Union (Ugrahan) also refused to meet the committee. The committee has previously interacted with the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), but only lower-ranking leaders attended. This situation raises questions about the committee’s purpose and the farmers’ reluctance to participate.

Background of the Protests

The farmers’ protests began in response to contentious agricultural laws. Farmers argue these laws threaten their livelihoods and demand their repeal. The protests have persisted for over a year, with gatherings at the Punjab-Haryana border. The ongoing agitation reflects deep-rooted issues within the agricultural sector, including economic distress and policy inadequacies.

Supreme Court Committee’s Formation

The Supreme Court established the high-powered committee on September 2, 2024. Its mandate includes engaging with agitating farmers and addressing their demands. The committee aims to facilitate the removal of blockades affecting public highways and to examine broader issues impacting the farming community. The Supreme Court emphasised the need for a neutral approach to the farmers’ concerns.

Committee’s Mandate and Objectives

The committee’s primary objective is to encourage farmers to vacate highways to alleviate public distress. The Supreme Court noted the importance of addressing the needs of marginalised communities reliant on agriculture. The committee is tasked with examining the challenges faced by farmers, including economic hardships and social issues affecting rural populations.

Composition of the Committee

Justice (retd.) Nawab Singh chairs the committee, supported by experts in agriculture and rural economics. Other members include BS Sandhu, Devinder Sharma, Prof. Ranjit Singh Ghumman, and Dr Sukhpal Singh. These individuals bring diverse expertise and a commitment to understanding the complexities of the agricultural sector. Their collective knowledge aims to provide informed recommendations to the Supreme Court.

Initial Findings of the Committee

The committee’s first report, submitted on November 22, 2024, outlined factors contributing to agrarian distress. It brought into light stagnant yields, rising costs, and insufficient marketing systems as key issues. The report recommended exploring legal protections for minimum support prices (MSP) and direct income support for farmers. It telld the urgency of addressing the crisis affecting farming communities, particularly in Punjab and Haryana.

Current Developments and Future Actions

The committee is currently preparing its second report, which will focus on boosting farm income. This includes discussions on MSP and consultations with various agricultural stakeholders. Meetings are scheduled with officials from agriculture departments and experts in agricultural policies. The committee aims to gather comprehensive insights to formulate effective solutions for the farming crisis.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has both political and non-political factions.
Justice (retd.) Nawab Singh previously served on the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Over 4 lakh Indian farmers have committed suicide since 1995, denoting a severe crisis.
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) reported institutional debt among farmers.
The committee’s first report was 11 pages long, detailing agrarian distress.

« Previous Post Next Post »