SKM protests proposed India-US trade pact

Members of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) staged a protest outside the District Administrative Complex here against the proposed India–US trade deal, alleging that it would adversely affect interests of farmers and hit the rural economy.

The protesters raised slogans against the BJP-led Centre and burnt an effigy of the government. They also submitted a memorandum addressed to the President through the district administration.

Addressing the gathering, union leaders claimed that the proposed agreement was not in the interest of Indian farmers. They said allowing American agricultural products duty-free access to the Indian market would expose domestic farmers to unequal competition and result in substantial economic losses.

They contended that the dairy sector would be among the worst affected.

The SKM demanded that agriculture, dairy farming, animal husbandry and other allied sectors be kept outside the ambit of the trade pact.

It urged the Centre to consult farmer organisations before finalising any such agreement.

The protesters stressed that there should be no compromise on the MSP for crops, public procurement system and the country’s food security policies while negotiating international trade agreements.