80 farm unions form outfit to oppose India-US trade pact
A coalition of nearly 80 farmers’ and farm labourers’ organisations from across India has formed a new platform, Desh Bachao Morcha, to oppose the proposed India-US trade agreement.
At a meeting held at the Kisan Bhawan, the organisations resolved to launch a nationwide campaign, alleging the pact could harm farmers, labourers and small traders while compromising India’s economic sovereignty.
The Morcha announced a protest at Kisan Ghat in New Delhi on July 21. Ahead of this, motorcycle rallies will be held at district and subdivision levels on July 15, during which memorandums addressed to the Prime Minister will be submitted to local authorities.
A six-member coordination committee has been set up to lead the movement. It includes Gurnam Singh Chaduni, Sarwan Singh Pandher, VM Singh, Surjit Singh Phool, Prakash Pohare and Shiv Kumar Kakka. Addressing the media, Chaduni and Pandher said they would continue the campaign until the pact was withdrawn.
The morcha also demanded a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) of all crops, farm loan waivers and effective water conservation policies, including a comprehensive national water policy to tackle India’s growing water crisis.
