Satya Prakash

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 10

After the failure of the eighth round of negotiations between the Government and farmers’ unions, all eyes are on the Supreme Court which will on Monday take up petitions challenging the farm laws and those seeking removal of farmers who have blocked key entry points to Delhi since November 26.

A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde – which had on December 17 indicated constituting a committee of independent and impartial persons to end the stalemate – is expected to attempt a solution to end the stalemate.

With both the sides refusing to budge from their respective stand, the eighth round of talks between agitating farmers and the Centre failed to break the deadlock on January 8.

As farmers’ leaders insisted on withdrawal of the three farm laws, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar made it clear that the government will not repeal the laws even as it was ready to address their grievances. The next round of talks is proposed on January 15.

During the crucial hearing, the top court is to hear three sets of petitions. The first set of PILs is by Congress MP from Trissur in Kerala TN Prathapan, DMK MP Tiruchi Siva, RJD MP Manoj Jha, Bhartiya Kisan Party and advocate ML Sharma.

They have challenged the validity of the Farmers’ (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020 and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. They contended the farm laws were “discriminatory” and will expose marginal farmers to exploitation by big companies.

Read also: Farmers ransack Khattar’s Kisan Mahapanchayat venue

The second set of petitions is by Rishabh Sharma and others highlighting the plight of commuters entering the national capital due to continued blockade by agitating farmers. On Saturday, he filed an affidavit in the top court complaining that the farmers have blocked Noida Chilla Border, Tikri Border, Sindhu Border, Gazipur Border, Delhi-Rohtak National Highway, causing hardships to those entering Delhi from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

Citing the top court’s verdict on Shaheen Bagh protests that said public places can’t be blocked and occupied indefinitely, he said the protesters must be removed as they violated the court’s verdict.

The third set of plea is by the Consortium of Indian Farmers Associations (CIFA) — a Hyderabad-based farmers’ organization – which contended that the reforms were beneficial for growth of agriculture in India.

“We wish (to) submit that farm reforms are beneficial to enable increased income to farmers and growth of agriculture,” the consortium’s plea filed through CIFA advisor P Chengal Reddy said, demanding to be heard before any decision was taken.

Noting that there was no improvement in talks between agitating farmers and the government, the Supreme Court on January 6 said it would take up petitions against farm laws and those against farmers’ protests on January 11. “There is absolutely no improvement in the situation,” CJI Bobde had said.

A day later, the CJI had expressed concern over the possible spread of COVID-19 among the agitating farmers and asked the Centre if they were taking precautionary measures against the pandemic. “We are trying to ensure that COVID-19 doesn’t spread. Ensure guidelines issued are followed,” he had said.

Mumbai, January 10

A Navy sailor was found dead on board a warship here on Sunday with a bullet injury, an official said.

Ramesh Choudhary (22) was posted on board INS Betwa, a Navy spokesperson said in a release.

The sailor’s service issue rifle was found next to him, the release said, but did not specify if it was suicide.

INS Betwa is a Brahmaputra-class guided missile frigate currently in service with the Indian Navy. The ship is named after the Betwa river.

The sailor, who recently returned to the warship after leave, hailed from Jodhpur in Rajasthan and is survived by his parents and a younger sister, the release said.

The matter is under investigation by the police with the assistance of naval authorities, the release added. — PTI

Ajay Joshi

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 9

Commuters were at the receiving end on Saturday after a tractor rally was taken out on the city roads to lend support to farmers protesting against the contentious agriculture laws.

With rows of tractors, jeeps and cars taking over roads and highways, farmers continued to raise slogans against the Modi government.

Flaunting banners of ‘Kisan Union Ekta’, ‘No Farmers, No Food, No Future’ and ‘Repeal black laws’, as many as 3,000 farmers and youth took out the rally as a massive show of strength and unity.

A convoy of over 350 tractors and 300 other vehicles travelled for 25 km covering areas including Model Town, GTB Nagar, Guru Nanak Mission Chowk, Skylark Chowk, Nakodar Chowk, Kapurthala Chowk, BMC Chowk, bus stand, BSF Chowk and PAP. The police were also deployed to ensure that the rally remains peaceful.

Gurshant Singh Sidhu, who not only participated in the rally, but was also one of the organising members, said they started their tractor rally on Saturday to further intensify the ongoing protest against the three farm laws.

“It was just a trailer of the Republic Day tractor march. We want to show the government that apart from farmers on the outskirts of Delhi, a sea of supporters from across the state will also enter Delhi on January 26. We are warning the government to withdraw the controversial laws as it’s just the ‘rehearsal’ of the main show,” he said.

Karanveer Singh, one of the protesters who was riding a tractor, said: “It seems like the Prime Minister cannot see us or hear us despite having so much strength. He has forgotten that we are the ones who have voted him to power. Through the tractor rally we would like to tell the government that it is better to take back the laws.”

Accompanying him, Gurpreet Singh, a farmer from Lohian Khas village, said: “This tractor rally was just a preparation to the main parade. Through today’s rally, we were successful in exhibiting our preparation and strength to the government and gave them an idea of how the rally on Republic Day will look like. We are an extremely peaceful lot and we have no intention of getting into face-offs with any person or authority of any kind.”

Meanwhile, around 300-400 people, carrying mashaals and candles in their hands, took out a mashaal march in the city as well. Organised by NGO V4U (The Helping Hand) and Trade Union Council, Jalandhar, the march started from Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall and concluded at Model Town.

Sikh groups to hold rally in Italy

Condemning the adamant attitude of the Centre over the three farm laws, the Alliance of Sikh Organisations (a group of 35 organisations) on Saturday announced to intensify their protest and take it to international level. The organisations said farmers were spending nights on roads in winter season, but the Centre was not willing to accept their demands. On a call given by Italy-based NGO against injustice ‘Movement against Atrocities and Repression’, members of the Alliance of Sikh organisations informed to hold a rally in Rome. They said considering the Covid guidelines, around 100 people will participate in the rally, which will be organised in front of Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations on January 15. Sukhdev Singh Phagwara, spokesperson, said efforts were being made to highlight the issue to gain attention of the UN. “The alliance has decided to hold a massive farmers’ rally on January 15 in Italy. A memorandum will be submitted to the authorities concerned.” TNS

Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, January 9

Ending the long wait on ordering an improved version of the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is expected to take a formal call on the Rs 38,800 crore ($5.1 billion) project for making 83 such jets over the next six-seven years.

The move comes almost 10 months after the Defence Acquisition Council in March 2020 announced “the procurement of 83 more advanced Mark 1A version of the aircraft (Tejas)”. The decision of the DAC will need to be ratified by the CCS, which is headed by PM Narendra Modi. The CCS is expected to take up the matter next week, sources said.

The jet will have some 43 improvements over the initial version and two of limited series production jets are conducting trials. Among the other improvements, the major improvements are to enhance operational capability.

These include easier maintenance, active electronically scanned array radar, electronic warfare suite and beyond-visual range missile capabilities, that will include the Indian made air-to-air missile Aastra Mark1. It will also have the ability to carry missiles for long range.

The move, once okayed, will take the number of Tejas jets on order to 123 jets —in three variants, all powered by a general electric engine. So far 20 have been made in what is called the initial operational clearance version. Another 20 are being made in what is called the final operational clearance version. The remaining 83 will be called the Tejas Mark 1A.

The Aeronautical Development Agency under the DRDO has designed the plane while Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is the manufacturer.