Kisan 'mahapanchayat': what are the farmers demanding?

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) (non-political) on Monday called for a one-day 'mahapanchayat' at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar where hundreds of farmers from different states across the country are reaching amid heavy security arrangements.

The SKM, however, did not receive permission to protest at Jantar Mantar till the time of filing this story.

The panchayat, which is scheduled to be held from 11 AM to 4 PM, will submit a memorandum to the President of India after its conclusion.

While the farmers are primarily protesting against unemployment, they also have a list of demands that they plan on discussing.

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What are the farmers demanding?

• Under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, the outstanding compensation of the farmers should be released immediately.
• MSP should be guaranteed as per the Swaminathan Commission report on “C2+50% formula”, and as promised a law should be made to guarantee MSP.
• Justice to the farmers' families who lost their loved ones in the Lakhimpur Kheri "massacre" and release of the farmers who are in jail for the last nine months. The arrest of Union minister Ajay Mishra Teni, the “main culprit of the massacre”.
• All the farmers of the country should be made debt free.
• Electricity Amendment Bill, 2022 should be cancelled.
• Support price of sugarcane should be increased and cane arrears should be paid immediately.
• India should come out of the WTO and cancel all free trade agreements.
• All the cases registered during the farmers' movement should be withdrawn.
• Agneepath scheme should be withdrawn.