Rural women in Haryana receive training to drive tractors in Jan 26 ‘tractor parade’ in national Capital
Farmers protesting against the three farm laws at Delhi borders for around 40 days are fully prepared to take out a tractor rally on Thursday. However, the inclement weather, because of which they had deferred their tractor rally by a day, has continued unabated.
Even as their talks with the Government have failed to resolve the issues, the farmer unions on Wednesday said scores of farmers are gathering at borders for the tractor rallies on January 7. The farmers said the Thursday tractor rally is a rehearsal for the Republic day show.
Meanwhile, All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) has urged farmers to take out tractors parade in all districts of the country on January 26.
Several rural women in Haryana’s Jind district are receiving training to drive tractors for taking part in a “tractor parade” in the national Capital on January 26 against the three new farm laws.
Women hailing from three villages — Safa Kheri, Khatkar, Pallwan — in Jind are learning to steer the tractor wheel.
Sikim Nain Sheokant, president of Jind-based Kisan Ekta Mahila Manch, said though some of the women can drive tractors in the fields for farm operations, they do not have experience of road driving.
“We want women to drive tractors on highway on January 26 without any help,” she said. Sheokant said several villagers were also helping them out by offering their tractors and providing them required training.
Women are undergoing training at a toll plaza on Jind-Patiala National Highway for handling tractor-trolleys on road. The protesting farmers have declared toll plazas “free”.
“We are getting the training for driving a tractor for participating in the tractor parade,” said a woman who has been receiving the lesson. She feels the new farm laws are not in the interest of the farming community.
“Several other protests also have begun in support of the farmers’ demand. A sit-in has begun with more than 500 tractors marching into Baraut area of Baghpat district. In Chennai, a massive dharna was held and tribal protests are planned in Odisha,” AIKSCC stated.
The body blamed the Central Government for not being serious about talks and solving farmers’ problems. “In the 7th round talks held till now, we have stated we want repeal and nothing else. The Government too has ‘understood that the demand is for repeal’ and said it will have to undertake ‘further consultation’. Yet, several Ministers and BJP leaders are putting a spanner in the wheels,” they said.
“Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar had announced he will be talking to other farmer unions who support the laws. Already this exercise to manufacture support has been undertaken and has achieved very poor response. Taking cue from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP leaders from MP and Punjab have said demands are unjustified,” they said.
“While Nitin Gadkari targeted the need to improve food production and feed India’s largely hungry population, he attacked MSP, saying it is higher than market rate, even when the Government says MSP will continue. Ministers should know that India is host to 33 per cent of the world’s hungry population,” said the AIKSCC.
Niti Ayog members say Government can’t buy and store food, while Government says procurement will continue, said the AIKSCC.This dichotomy should end, it added.
“Meanwhile on the call issued by the AIKSCC and the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, several mass programmes have been planned. People all over the country shall burn copies of the three Acts on occasion of Lori and Makar Sankranti. January 18 shall be observed as Mahila Kisan Diwas and we have also decided that sit in and relay fasts shall continue,” said the AIKSCC.
Since the farmers arrived at the national Capital’s borders, the Delhi Traffic Police has been posting alerts on its official Twitter handle to inform commuters about road closures across the city.
In a series of tweets on Wednesday, it said Singhu, Auchandi, Piau Maniyari, Saboli and Mangesh borders were closed for traffic movement.
“Please take alternate route via Lampur Safiabad, Palla & Singhu school toll tax borders. Traffic has been diverted from Mukarba & GTK road. Please avoid Outer Ring Road, GTK Road & NH-44.
“The Chilla and Ghazipur borders are closed for traffic coming from Noida & Ghaziabad to Delhi because of farmer protests. Please take alternate route for coming to Delhi via Anand Vihar, DND, Bhopra & Loni Borders,” the traffic police said.
It said Tikri and Dhansa borders are also closed for traffic movement.
“Jhatikara Border is open only for LMV (Cars/Light Motor Vehicles), two wheelers and pedestrian movement,” another tweet read.
According to the traffic police, people travelling to Haryana can take the routes via Jharoda (only single carriageway), Daurala, Kapashera, Badusarai, Rajokri NH-8, Bijwasan/Bajghera, Palam Vihar and Dundahera borders.
Thursday, 07 January 2021 | Staff Reporter | New Delhi
