UNCERTAINTY CONTINUES AFTER AGITATING FARMERS REJECTED DIALOGUE WITH COMMITTEE FORMED BY HARYANA GOVERNMENT

Farmers of many states are sitting on agitation on national capital Delhi borders against three contentious agriculture laws saying that they will continue their protest until the government withdraws these laws. Regarding the same, the Supreme Court had directed the state court recently to open the closed route and entry points of Delhi so that other sections of the society including business, industrialists, shopkeepers etc may remain unaffected. In this series, the state government formed a committee under the chairmanship of Home Secretary, Rajiv Arora to have dialogues with farmers sitting on protest and following the same, the members of the committee had visited Sonipat district to have a talk with the farmers. But contrary to this, farmers unions have outrightly refused to have dialogues with the committee organised by the government saying that we would not be part of any meeting with the committee and it is the responsibility of the state government to file an answer to the Supreme Court. Thus, the ongoing scenario clearly depicts that the existing tussle is most likely to remain after farmers stand.

The committee opined that the business and other works of other stakeholders continue to be affected and in wake of this, the closed route should be opened immediately. After the farmers refused to be a part of the meeting, Rajiv Arora said that the committee is putting its best and will visit farmers sitting on protest if required. It is pertinent to mention that maximum farmers are sitting on the Singhu border and Sonipat is an adjoining district of Haryana to Delhi. Thus, it has become the main site that is the centre of discussion. Rakesh Devgan, president of the Rai Industrial Manufacturing Association said that the issue should be sorted out as soon as possible as the agitation has cost a total loss of Rs 50 crore to the industry so far, if the tussle continues to remain then the industrial units are most likely to plight at large scale from the state. 

To some extent, the committee is leaving no stone unturned to bring the agitation to an end. But farmers’ steps pertaining to the issue added to the woes of the local administration as well as the formed committee. The committee comprises Home Secretary Rajiv Arora of DGP PK Agarwal and Special Secretary Balkar Singh.