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No record of farmers’ deaths due to protest, so no financial assistance: Govt


Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Dec 01, 2021: Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Wednesday informed Parliament that the government has “no record" of the deaths of the farmers who camped out at Delhi borders protesting against the now repealed three farm laws.

 

farm laws


Responding to the Opposition’s query on whether the Centre will grant financial assistance to the families of the farmers who lost their lives during the year-long protest, Union Minister Tomar said, “Ministry of Agriculture has no record in the mater and hence the question does not arise.”

Farmer leaders maintain that over 700 farmers perished while protesting against the contentious agri laws at the Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur borders since November 2020. The deaths were chiefly due to harsh weather, illness contracted from unhygienic conditions, and suicide.

Meanwhile, the protesting farmers are standing firm on their demands, with the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) calling on the government to come to the table and discuss all pending issues with farm leaders.

Despite the passage of the Farm Laws Repeal Bill in the Lok Sabha, the SKM has said the farmers’ protest will go on till the government accepts their demand to provide legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP). They have also demanded withdrawal of the police cases lodged against protesting farmers, as well as compensation for the kin of the farmers who died during the protests.

The Centre has also sought 5 names from farmer unions for the panel on Minimum Support Price (MSP) and other issues, for further discussions on their demands.


Courtesy:India Today