Farmers to Observe Nationwide Resistance Day on 16th

New Delhi: The nationwide Resistance Day called by farmers’ organisations on Friday against the dilution of the Mahatma Gandhi rural employment guarantee scheme is set to become a strong warning to the BJP-led central government, which, they say, continues to pursue anti-people policies. Agricultural workers’ unions, trade unions and other mass organisations have extended their support to the protest.

The primary demand raised is the withdrawal of the VB-G RAM G Act, which the Union government is accused of introducing unilaterally, and the restoration of the rural employment guarantee scheme. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has also demanded the withdrawal of the draft Electricity Amendment Bill, the Seed Bill, and the labour codes.

Farmers’ organisations say they are preparing, in unity, for another nationwide mobilisation similar to the historic agitation against the farm laws introduced by the second Modi government. They are also demanding an end to the Centre’s alleged neglect of states and calling for the upholding of federal principles.

At present, states receive only 31 per cent of the total tax revenue collected by the Centre, including cess and surcharge, the organisations pointed out, demanding that this share be increased to 60 per cent.

In states like Kerala, only about 25 per cent of total revenue comes from central transfers, they noted. The SKM has also called for a revision of the GST law to restore states’ powers in tax collection.