By Admin 
There has been opposition from farmer organizations of Punjab regarding the proposed India-America trade agreement. Senior leader of United Kisan Morcha Balbir Singh Rajewal and farmer leader Dr. Darshanpal have made it clear that if agriculture sector is included in this agreement, then a large scale movement will be started against it. Let us tell you that recently there is resentment among the farmers regarding the trade deal between India and America and this reaction has come after the indications that American agricultural products are coming to the Indian market.
Objection to the statement issued by America
United Kisan Morcha leader Balbir Singh Rajewal said that the official draft of the India-US trade agreement has not yet been made public, but the statement given by the US Agriculture Secretary on social media has increased the concern of the farmers. According to him, that statement talks about the entry of American agricultural products into the Indian market. Rajewal clarified that farmers’ organizations are strongly against the inclusion of agriculture in this agreement and if necessary, agitation will be carried out.
He said that America gives huge subsidies to its farmers, while India’s small and marginal farmers are already struggling with cost and market instability. In such a situation, if American cheap agricultural products come to the Indian market, it will become almost impossible for domestic farmers to compete. Due to this, crop prices will fall and the income of farmers will be directly affected.
Possible legislation and immediate protest strategy
Balbir Singh Rajewal also said that the Central Government is preparing to bring Electricity Amendment Bill and Seed Bill in the current Parliament session. Farmer organizations believe that both these laws may also be against the interests of farmers. For this reason, the strategy of the movement is being decided in advance.
Toll plazas in Punjab will be opened for three hours on the day the Electricity Amendment Bill or Seed Bill is presented in Parliament. As soon as the draft of the India-US trade agreement becomes public and the inclusion of agriculture in it is confirmed, a movement will be started immediately. Farmer organizations will try to garner support across the country on this issue.
Dr. Darshanpal’s statement and comparison with 2020 movement
Farmer leader Dr. Darshanpal said that farmers organizations are only waiting for the draft and a big movement will be announced as soon as it comes out. He said that the current situation is becoming like 2020, when there was a historic farmers’ movement across the country against the three agricultural laws. According to him, the government policies are again creating a feeling of insecurity among the farmers.
Dr. Darshanpal told that on February 22, farmers will protest outside the houses of big leaders of BJP and Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab. He reiterated that on the day the Electricity Amendment Bill and the Seed Bill are presented in Parliament, toll plazas across Punjab will be opened for three hours. Farmer leaders say that this movement is only a warning and if the demands are not accepted, the movement will be further intensified.