SKM calls for statewide ‘Jail Bharo’ on August 10
Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) state leaders release a poster announcing the statewide 'Jail Bharo' programme scheduled for August 10, while addressing a press conference in Hyderabad on Monday,
Demands not to sign FTA (Free Trade Agreement) with the USA
Hyderabad: The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) had called for a state-wide ‘jail bharo’ programme on August 10 in fulfilment of a series of demands. Addressing the media on Monday, SKM state conveners Teegala Sagar, Pashya Padma, Jakkula Venkataiah, Chandra Reddy, Bhaskar, and Tukaram Nayak highlighted that there should be no India-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA), cancellation of all FTAs; Implementation of the C2+50% MSP Act with an exact purchase guarantee for all crops.
Besides, they said that the other demands include comprehensive loan waiver to curb rural indebtedness, suicides of farmers and labourers; Rs. 25 lakh compensation to the family of each farmer who committed suicide; Repeal of 4 Labour Codes; Rs. 26,000 minimum wage for all workers; MGNREGA revival with 200 days of work and Rs. 700 as salary. Also, the SKM is fighting for the withdrawal of the Power Privatisation Bill-2025, Seed Bill-2025, and NFSA Amendment Bill; “no forced land acquisition; no corporate-friendly land pooling; and protection of land rights for tribals and non-tribal forest dwellers under the LARR Act-2013 and FRA Act-2006.
”The SKM leaders said that farmers will observe a massive protest day on August 10, the 84th anniversary of 'Quit India' Day, against anti-national Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), with programmes like 'Jail Bharo', 'Rail Roko', 'Road Roko' in many parts of the state. Many organisations and platforms have decided to support and coordinate with SKM.
SKM will hold state-level meetings in the next two months to prepare for long-term independent and coordinated struggles. All member organisations will launch independent and coordinated campaigns like massive padayatras, vehicle jatas, tractor rallies; these will culminate in public meetings, maha panchayats and state-level rallies.
Also, member organisations will prepare a list of volunteers for a long-term struggle till the key demands are met. They warned that if the BJP-led central government continues to violate the written assurance given on December 9, 2021, including MSP (Minimum Support Price) and loan waiver and does not accept the document of demands, SKM will intensify its struggles.
Also, it demanded that the government focus on the severe drought, floods, and environmental crisis. It demanded the establishment of effective disaster management systems with public sector insurance companies to provide compensation for losses of crops, livestock, houses, and livelihood. Farmers’ union leaders Vijay, Shivakumar, Prasad and others spoke.
