Over 250 farmer and farm-worker organisations have taken to the streets across the country to protest the passage of 3 farm bills by the central government in parliament amid a boycott by the opposition. From Punjab to Uttar Pradesh to Tamil Nadu, farmers are up in arms fearing that the new legislation could end the minimum support price regime.
Punjab and Haryana are the epicentres of the protests which have been peaceful so far. Thousands marched in Amritsar calling on the central government to withdraw the legislation. In fact, Punjab finance minister Manpreet Badal told CNBC-TV18 that the Punjab government is seriously contemplating a move to declare the entire state as a principal mandi yard.
To discuss this in more detail, Manisha Gupta spoke to, Suresh Pal Director of ICAR-NIAP, Devendra Sharma agri economist, Mark Kahn Managing Partner of Omnivore and Yogendra Yadav President of Swaraj Abhiyan.