Himachal Kisan Sabha & CITU Plan March to Protest Against Govt’s Labour, Farm Policies

The convention was chaired by CITU state president Vijendra Mehra and HKS state president Kuldeep Singh Tanwar to discuss the April 5 march to Parliament. The convention was inaugurated by CITU's national president, Kashmir Singh Thakur. Pushpendra Tyagi, Prem Gautam, Omkar Shad, Hotam Saunkhala, and Bhupendra Singh, national leaders of the All India Kisan Sabha, also spoke at the conference. Rakesh Singha, a former MLA, brought it to a close.

"The government at the Centre is constantly implementing anti-labor and anti-farmer policies," Thakur said. Everything they've started is a marketing campaign to sell the country to their friends and businesses. As inflation continues to rise, a policy of providing part-time and fixed-term employment is being implemented in place of permanent employment." "After a long agitation by farmers, the Modi government at the Centre withdrew the black farm laws and promised to legally guarantee them the minimum support price," Singha said. However, the government has yet to make a decision in this regard.

Gardeners engaged in horticulture and the agriculture sector in Himachal Pradesh are experiencing a severe economic crisis as a result of these anti-farmer policies. Four such labour codes have also been created, and through their implementation, they intend to take away the rights of workers that they have won after a long struggle. Workers' and farmers' organizations have decided to protest these codes by marching to the Parliament House in Delhi on April 5. ”

"Before the march, a grassroots mass awakening campaign is planned in which workers and farmers will be informed about our demands and leaflets will be distributed," he added. "Our demands include the withdrawal of four labour codes and the amended electricity bill. We also demand a minimum salary of Rs 26,000 and a pension of Rs 10,000 for all employees," Singha stated.

Addressing the loans on farmers, Singha said, "A Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all agricultural products should be implemented while all poor and middle farmers' loans should be waived off. We request that the government provide pensions to all people over the age of 60, as well as 200 days of MNREGA employment at a daily wage of Rs 600." "Privatization of public sector undertakings and services should be stopped. We demand that rising inflation be stopped, and that essential commodities be exempted from the Goods and Services Tax (GST)."

"There should be a reduction in central excise duty on petrol, diesel, and cooking gas, as well as a strengthening of the public ration distribution system," Singha continued. Depots should provide access to all essential food items." "The Forest Rights Act should be strictly enforced, and the government should ensure the implementation of social justice policies that end backward class oppression. The government needs to ensure universal quality health and education for all citizens and withdraw the National Education Policy 2020 while ensuring housing for all.

Tax rates on the super-rich and corporate houses should be raised, while rates on the poor should be reduced," Singha said as he outlined all of the convention's demands. Various conferences/conventions will be held at the district and block levels until February 10, according to the convention. Door-to-door campaigning will take place from February 11 to March 10, covering approximately one lakh homes. Protests will be held at the district and block levels on March 15.