SKM Agreed to Centre's Revised Draft Proposal; Protests Likely to be called off Today!

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), the umbrella body of farmer unions that spearheaded the year-long protests at Delhi's borders against the now-repealed farm laws, stated it has agreed to the modified draft proposal submitted by the government on December 8, 2021.

"There are no areas of contention left anymore," farmer leader Yudhvir Singh stated at a press conference, suggesting that the movement will likely be called off shortly.

The leaders will, however, await an official directive from the government on December 9. "Any decision to call off the demonstration would be made after we receive a final letter from the government," another leader, Gurnam Singh Chaduni, said.

SKM stated in a statement:

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha acknowledges receiving a revised draught proposal from the Government of India and reaching an agreement within SKM to accept the proposal. A formal message signed on government letterhead is now expected. SKM will reconvene tomorrow at 12 p.m. at the Singhu Border to make an official decision to lift the morchas.

The decision on December 8 occurred after the SKM sought clarity on many topics raised in the government's initial proposal on December 7.

Following that, a five-member SKM committee then held meetings with the government on pending demands. Balbir Singh Rajewal, Ashok Dhawle, Shiv Kumar Kakka, Gurnam Singh Chaduni, and Yudhvir Singh were among the five members of the panel.

After repealing the three farm laws in Parliament last week, the government encouraged farmers to halt their protest.

The pending demands included a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, withdrawal of cases against the protestors and compensation to the kin of farmers who died during the protests.

A major concern among farmer groups was also the membership of the proposed MSP committee.

In its offer, the government stated that there will be representations from different  farmer organizations, in addition to the SKM.

However, the protesting farmer unions wanted exclusively SKM representatives, as there is a potential that some farm groups who supported the three farm laws may be made part of the committee.

According to the sources, a major section of the SKM is in favor of calling off the agitation. However,  final decision on the government’s draft proposal, however, will be taken today.