Farm laws: SKM seeks ‘minor changes’ in govt’s 5-point proposal

The home ministry on Tuesday sent a five-point proposal to the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on their demands before ending the agitation.

The SKM leaders held a meeting at the Singhu border and discussed the government proposal.

“We received a proposal and a positive discussion took place with the government. We raised a few points on the government’s proposal during our meeting,” Ashok Dhawale, president of the All India Kisan Sabha, said. “We expect the government to respond to our points by Wednesday and a final decision shall be taken on the same day.”


The government, in its proposal, assured SKM to withdraw all the cases filed against farmers by the different state governments and central government after they end the agitation. “We said that the government should first withdraw the cases and then we will end the agitation,” Balbir Singh Rajewal, farmer leader, told media persons.

Another proposal from the government was to include leaders from the SKM in the MSP committee. But the SKM leaders insisted that the committee shouldn’t have farmer leaders or persons who were supporting the government on the farm laws.

In its proposal, the government said that the Haryana and UP governments have given in-principle approval for compensation for farmers who died during the agitation. On the Electricity Bill, the government said that all stakeholders will be consulted before any decision is taken. The SKM does not want the government to bring the bill to Parliament.

“These are small issues and we are hopeful of getting it resolved by tomorrow (Wednesday). If it happens, then we will end the agitation by December 10,” Rajinder Singh Deepsighwala, vice president, Kirti Kisan Union, told ET.

The farmers’ union from Punjab are planning to welcome the agitating farmers on the day they reach Punjab and celebrate it as Deepotsav.