The farmers' agitation continued for the 49th day on Wednesday against the three new Central farm laws enacted last year. The agitating farmers burned copies of the farm laws on the occasion of Lohri.
Asked about the committee set up by the Supreme Court to resolve the farmers' issue, Harinder Singh General Secretary of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Lakhowal) said the farmers are demanding repeal of the three laws so they have refused to appear before the committee.
He said the Central government had also suggested a solution by forming a committee which was unanimously rejected by all the farmers organisations.
The farmers have been sitting at the borders of the national capital since November 26, 2020. Singhu border is the main protest site where a special programme would be held to burn the copies of the farm laws.
The farmers unions leaders are demanding withdrawal of The Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act 2020; The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act 2020; and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020. They are also demanding a legal guarantee for procurement of crops at the the Minimum Support Price.
After hearing various petitions filed before the Supreme Court related to the new farm laws and the farmers' agitation, the apex court on Tuesday decided to put the implementation of these laws on hold and set up a four member committee comprising of agricultural experts to find solutions to the problems of the farmers.