We should either adopt the reforms of developed countries in totality, including liberalisation in agriculture and agri-marketing, social security and crop insurance, as selective actions can distort our well-established system, or try to frame our own viable and dynamic agricultural policies that will provide economic and ecological sustainability and protect the interests of various sections of the population. The provision of legal status for MSP is a necessity.

Continent-wise Agricultural land AVERAGE (1961- 2018). Source: faostat

Milkha Singh Aulakh

THE three farm laws enacted by the Union Government last year could have an enormous impact on the livelihoods of various sections of society as well as food security of our highly populated country. Policy-makers often cite the examples of developed countries to justify the need for such reforms in India to liberalise and open up the farm sector to private players. However, when we compare the social security net, insurance cover and market options available to farmers in India and developed countries, the disparity is striking.

Farmers and farm labourers constitute a smaller proportion of the population in developed countries (2-5 per cent) as compared to India (60-70 per cent). In the US, 897 million acres of agricultural land is cultivated by 2 million farmers; in India, only 350 million acres are cultivated by 145 million farming families. A majority of the farmers in developed countries have large-sized farms. The average farm size in the US is 448 acres, way above India (2.5 acres). Their farmers have the capacity and capability to store their products for long periods after each harvest; they also own transportation facilities. Their farmers are usually involved in decision-making policies that could impact their livelihood. In addition to a much larger cash and commodity support than in India, the government provides them social security, including old-age pension, health services and education to their wards (schoolbuses pick up and drop their wards at their on-farm residences). For example, the farmers of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta provinces in Canada have farms varying from 500 to 2,000 acres, along with modern machinery and infrastructure. They produce mainly wheat, barley, pulses and edible oilseeds that are exported to other countries. After each harvest, farmers often store grains in on-farm silos and transport them only when they get good prices.

Farmers on board

The Canadian Wheat Board was constituted in 1935 with representatives of the government and the farmers. Its functions include identification of markets, negotiations for best prices and delivery of agri products. Accordingly, the farmers grow those crops and transport their produce to allocated railway yards to upload it in containers for onward transport to seaports for export. If and when some fields are left fallow due to lesser demand of agri products, the government compensates farmers for their fallow acreage.

Contract farming under India’s new agri laws would lead to the establishment of large farms and the development of state-of-the-art infrastructure by clubbing landholdings of small, marginal and poor farmers, who have less than five acres and constitute 86 per cent of the farmers. However, such large farms would render rural people unemployed, who account for 60-70 per cent of our population. Keeping in view the joblessness of a significant proportion of the urban population, the movement of people in large numbers from rural areas to cities would aggravate unemployment. In order to avoid unnecessary glut of one agri product or the other and maintain equilibrium between their production and requirements, the state governments and farmers’ cooperatives could be allowed to export their agri products, including fresh vegetables and fruits, directly to other countries.

Insurance schemes

In India, several crop insurance schemes have been formulated, implemented and withdrawn from time to time. In 1999-2000, the government introduced Rashtriya Krishi Bima Yojana. In recent years, four insurance schemes were launched: Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Weather-based Crop Insurance Scheme, Coconut Palm Insurance Scheme and the Pilot Unified Package Insurance Scheme. However, none of these schemes has become popular among farmers because their premium rates are quite high, and they have several inbuilt bylaws for calamities and other factors that are mostly unfavourable to the farmers. For example, while more than 11 lakh policies were purchased by farmers in 2017, only 3.08 lakh were indemnified. Other reasons for their non-acceptance are the complicated procedures involved, lack of education and awareness among farmers, and most importantly, the incapability and affordability of poor farmers to pay the annual premium in advance.

In contrast, the farmers of developed countries are in a better position in several ways and capable of paying premium. A variety of insurance policies are available at competitive rates, which cover personal liability of farmers and their co-workers, their farmhouses and possessions, machinery and livestock, and stored-on-farm agri products, besides the insurance for crops that witness a loss in yield, whether it is due to an insurable cause of loss in the quality or quantity of the insured crop. Governments co-pay substantial premiums; for instance, in British Columbia province of Canada, the government pays up to 45 per cent of the crop insurance premium. Moreover, the system is transparent and farmers use insurance policies to cover the risk and make a profit.

MSP shield

The Union Government introduced the MSP (minimum support price) regime to guarantee a minimum profit for the farmer for his harvest if the open market offers a lesser price than the cost incurred. Although the MSP is announced for 23 farm-produced crops, the Centre does not assure that all these agri products are purchased at or above the MSP. The Centre purchases mainly paddy (unmilled rice), wheat and a few pulses through the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and state government agencies for their distribution among poor people through the Public Distribution System (PDS). This leaves the farmers at the mercy of corporates (including private buyers), who may purchase all remaining agri products at whatever price they offer, and farmers have no option but to sell their produce.

As the MSP holds the key to farmers’ security and the nation’s self-sufficiency, the provision of its legal status is a necessity so that no one can swindle, fleece or force poor farmers, who are already in a pitiable condition, to sell their agri products at much lower than economically viable rates. This would also encourage crop diversification so as to avoid a glut of wheat and rice, and reduce imports of pulses and edible oils.

In a nutshell, we should either adopt reforms of developed countries in totality, including liberalisation in agriculture and agri-marketing, social security and crop insurance, as selective actions can distort our well-established system and prove counterproductive, or try to frame our own viable and dynamic agricultural policies that will provide economic and ecological sustainability and protect the interests of various sections of the population.https://d5cefd6206a1688baf168a7fbe850e70.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html

The author is former Dean, College of Agriculture, PAU, and founder V-C, Banda

University of Agriculture and Technology, UP

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Capt Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister. file photo

Chandigarh, March 8

Terming the Centre’s proposal on direct payment to farmers, bypassing arhtiyas, as another provocation for growers, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Monday said the “apathetic” attitude of the Centre would not help resolve the crisis.

The matter had to be resolved by the Centre and growers with the state having no role to play as the farmers’ associations had categorically rejected any political interference, said the Chief Minister, while speaking to mediapersons on the state Budget, which he described as pro-farmer and pro-poor.

He said instead of amicably resolving the farmers’ issue, the Centre was fuelling further angst among them. — TNS

Nodeep Kaur.

Tribune News Service

Ghazipur (Ghaziabad), March 8

Women’s Day celebration at Delhi University’s Arts Faculty turned ugly after activists of Bhagat Singh Chatra Manch (BSCM) and Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) supporters clashed on Monday.

The BSCM had invited Dalit activist Nodeep Kaur, her sister Rajveer Kaur and family members of a few of the rape victims, including Gurmandi and Butana case, to address the crowd on the plight of working and Dalit women.

However, even before Nodeep could address, ABVP supporters led by Delhi University Students Union joint secretary Shivangi Kharwal stopped the proceedings asking whether the organisers had the valid permission to hold such an

After the argument, a scuffle ensued where Nodeep was allegedly dragged, while BSCM’s vice president Sangeeta Geet claimed that her clothes were torn. Also, present was Kisan Morcha’s Legal Cell member Vasu Kukreja, who suffered a swollen eye.

ABVP, however, claims that the clash was started by the organisers. “DUSU was organising a self-defence clinic today. And these people, majority of which were outsiders, were holding a meet outside the Conference Centre of Arts Faculty,” ABVP State Secretary Siddharth Yadav said.

“When DUSU joint secretary Shivangi and few others came out they objected to a few posters that were showing our forces in bad light. On finding that these people had no permission to hold the event an argument happened. Someone grabbed her chunni and then scuffle broke out,” he explained.

Yadav also said that the police then intervened and few persons from both the sides were detained. However, Sangeeta Geet claimed that the brawl was started by the ABVP supporters.

“They began tearing our posters down. Some of them, including Shivangi Kharwal were abusing us and the police just looked the other way,” Geet said.

“My clothes were torn, Nodeep was dragged away. Advocate Kukreja suffered an injury. Comrade Ravinder and a few SFI activists were detained while ABVP got away,” she added.

Sandeep Dikshit

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

NEW DELHI, MARCH 8

The UK Government said it would directly raise “serious and specific concerns” over human rights and freedom to peaceful protests with the Indian Government, especially when Prime Minister Boris Johnson meets PM Narendra Modi on several occasions during the year.

Responding to a discussion in parliament on issues relating to Press freedom and safety of protesters in India in which all dozen speakers, barring one, criticised New Delhi for its handling of farmers’ protests, the UK Government’s Minister of State for Asia Nigel Adams said London had also asked New Delhi to permit Amnesty International to function since it has an important role in a democracy. The UK Government conceded that India’s handling of the protests had caused alarm. At the same time, it said agriculture policy is a domestic matter for the Indian Government.

MPs Khalid Mehmood, Teresa Villiers, Virendra Sharma, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Naz Shah, Layla Moran, Seema Malhotra, John McDonell and Brendon O’Hara were among those who sought accountability.

Car-borne youths fire shots at Singhu

Four youths in a car bearing Chandigarh number allegedly fired shots into the air after a brawl at langar over water at Singhu on Sunday night. No one was injured.

Tribune Web Desk

Chandigarh, March 8

There was an incident of alleged firing at the Singhu border on Sunday night.

Four men came in a car and fled after firing three rounds on farmers. There was no casualty.

Those who fired drove a white-coloured Audi with a Chandigarh number.

The incident took place near the TDI mall when langar was being served.

Police suspect the men to be from Punjab.

Farm Laws: Half-baked policies can be counterproductive

The farmers complained to the Kundli police.

Sonepat SP Jashandeep Singh Randhawa said a case was registered against unidentified men and they were investigating the matter.

Hisar farmer ends life at Tikri

Photo for representation only. – File photo

London, March 7

The design for a sculpture of an early 20th century Sikh fighter pilot, cricketer and golfer from Oxford University has been approved for a new memorial to be erected at Southampton (England) in memory of the Indians who fought in the world wars.

‘Flying Sikh’

• Hardit Singh Malik was the world’s first Royal Flying Corps (now the Royal Air Force) Sikh fighter pilot
• As the first Indian and turbaned pilot with a specialised helmet,he became famous as ‘Flying Sikh’

Hardit Singh Malik first arrived in the UK in 1908 as a 14-year-old to Balliol College at the University of Oxford and went on to become a member of the Royal Flying Corps during the World War-I. As the first Indian and turbaned pilot with a specialised helmet, he became famous as ‘Flying Sikh’.

“As such, the statue of Hardit Singh Malik, the world’s first Royal Flying Corps (now the Royal Air Force) Sikh, turbaned fighter pilot, will be emblematic for the broader Sikh contribution in the British armed forces of World War I and II,” notes the One Community Hampshire & Dorset (OCHD) organisation behind the campaign for the memorial that was approved by the Southampton City Council last year.

Lord Rami Ranger, Chairman, British Sikh Association

Exceptional design

I am overwhelmed by the striking beauty and power of the exceptional design of the memorial, which captures the spirit and endeavour of the great RAF fighter pilot.

Malik also played cricket for Sussex and was also the Indian Ambassador to France after a long and distinguished career in the Indian Civil Service. But he is best known as a fighter pilot during 1917-19.

“I am truly overwhelmed by the striking beauty and power of the exceptional design of the memorial, which captures the spirit and endeavour of this great RAF fighter pilot, Hardit Singh Malik, so well. It gives me great happiness to learn that the design is approved by the community,” said Lord Rami Ranger, Chairman of the British Sikh Association and Chief Patron of OCHD.

The memorial will be created by English sculptor Luke Perry. — PTI

‘Despite constraints, INS Vikrant and its aircraft played key part. It was my privilege to command White Tigers’

Rear Admiral Santosh

Kumar Gupta, MVC

I was fortunate to be a part of 300 Squadron (comprising the Sea Hawk fighters) during the 1971 war, having been in command since January 1970 as a Lieutenant Commander. Initially, it seemed that the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant with her air squadrons would not see any action as both the ship and the aircraft were in a poor state of repair. Vikrant was non-operational with one of the four boilers requiring replacement, limiting the speed of the ship to 14 knots against the designed 24.5 knots.

Consequently, with no possibility of embarked flying, the frontline Sea Hawk squadron was allowed to run down. With no carrier to operate from, the squadron languished with scarcely any aircraft available for flying and with over 20 fresh pilots. In this situation, the squadron was ordered to move at the end of July 1971 to Madras with six aircraft for exercising with Vikrant, which had been sailed to the east coast to escape any attack in case of hostilities.

There was, however, an inevitable and genuine feeling of bonding with the mother-ship on board, with an accompanying sense of belonging. Motivation in the squadron was great all-round. Soon we broke all laid-down procedures and after a few rollers on the deck, we engaged the wire. Pilots were dropping their hook on ‘mother’ and honed their deck-landing skills.

It was conveyed to us that despite limitations in operating, Vikrant would form the nucleus of the Eastern Fleet in a potential war. Aircraft spares began arriving and with them the aircraft. The ships’movement was kept secret as it was appreciated that the adversary (submarine ‘Ghazi’) would be on the hunt for a juicy target. By mid-October, there were 18 Sea Hawks on board and intense training began.

Exercises included air-to-air interceptions, releasing of weapons on the splash target streamed by the carrier, pre-planned strike sorties against shore targets and recovery of aircraft from Carrier Controlled Approaches (CCA). Arrested landings and catapult launches in marginal conditions became the norm, with one inflexible rule: no landing on the deck with live ammunition.

Vikrant sailed on the midnight of December 3 when hostilities were declared, with Pakistan having attacked some Indian airfields in the north-west. The Sea Hawks provided the strike force by day, whilst the Alize could be used for reconnaissance duties day and night. Aerial bombing by the Alize on radar was also possible with limited success. It was intended to attack Cox Bazaar from 100 miles at first light. There was a three-hour delay as the escorting ships raised an alarm with a positive submarine contact on sonar.

At about 1000 hours, 14 armed Sea Hawks were ranged on the flight deck with four earmarked for air patrol against any possibility of in-coming enemy fighter, and 10 Sea Hawks were armed with 28 rockets (R/P), and four 20 mm cannon guns. Of these 10, eight Sea Hawks formed the strike force for Cox Bazaar. Transit was to be always at very low level skimming the sea to avoid detection. Complete R/T silence was observed. After the attack, the formation would proceed to the rendezvous point, whilst re-forming for the return flight to land on ‘mother’.

Six Sea Hawks were launched at 3 pm the same day at 90 miles with similar armament configuration. Two gun boats and river crafts were sunk. A third strike of 4 SHK successfully bombed Chittagong harbour, where a warehouse and three merchant ships adjacent were berthed alongside. These were set on fire by direct hits with eight 500-pound bombs — with the thick black smoke rising a few hundred feet becoming a landmark for Chittagong seen from 60 miles for three days!

The next day, attention shifted to attacking the river ports of Khulna, Changla and Mongla. The following day, despite marginal conditions, four Hawks armed with two 500-pound bombs attacked a large building in Chittagong city close to a civil hospital. It had been reported that it housed several Pakistani military personnel attending a meeting. Six bombs landed while one remained unexploded. Extensive damage was caused to the three-storey building. The adjacent hospital was left unscathed.

One challenging incident merits recall 50 years later. Whilst on a steep dive bombing attack (with two 500-pound bombs strapped) on Chittagong airfield installation, my aircraft was hit by ground fire, causing hydraulic failure at a speed of 420 knots. The flying controls of the Sea Hawk at this speed became heavy, making it difficult to maneuver the aircraft. The formation exited the scene after releasing their bombs on the target and then reducing the speed to 250 knots to transit back to the ‘mother-ship’, and I was the pilot with one unreleased 500-pound bomb.

It was a tense situation. The standard drill in peacetime in such an exigency is to land ashore as it can be dangerous for both the aircraft and more importantly, the ship to recover such an aircraft. Landing on board with an armed live 500-pound bomb could result in an explosion caused by the bomb’s inadvertent release on the deck with the jolt experienced on the arrested landing.

To his credit, Captain Swaraj Parkash (CO of Vikrant) took a calculated risk to permit the recovery with an armed bomb, rather than have me eject from the aircraft over the sea. I was the last to land after burning fuel to reduce the aircraft weight given the mild wind conditions. Those were long moments for me in the cockpit, but the gamble paid off. In violation of all rules, I hit the deck safely.

In all, about 300 strike sorties were flown by aircraft from Vikrant in 10 days. Eight Sea Hawks and a similar number of Alize were hit by ground fire. In retrospect, despite the many constraints, INS Vikrant and its aircraft played a crucial role in the liberation of Bangladesh. It was my privilege to command the White Tigers during this war.

About Maha Vir Chakra and recipients

Established: A draft royal warrant was prepared in October 1948 for the institution of Maha Vir Chakra in the name of the British sovereign as, during the dominion period, such a step would have been necessary to give the award status within the Commonwealth. On further consideration, this course was abandoned and the medal was created and instituted by the President of India on January 26, 1950, with the award effective from August 15, 1947.

Eligible: Officers, men and women of all ranks of the Indian military, paramilitary and members of the nursing services of the Armed Forces.

Awarded: For conspicuous act of bravery or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice in the face of the enemy on land, at sea or in the air. The decoration may also be awarded posthumously.

The award of the decoration carries with it the right to use MVC as a post-nominal abbreviation of Maha Vir Chakra. Provision has also been made for the award of a Bar for second (or subsequent award) of the Maha Vir Chakra.

First recipient (in independent india): Brigadier Rajinder Singh of the Jammu & Kashmir State Forces.

Youngest recipient: Jemadar (later Colonel) Chewang Rinchen of Nubra Guards. He earned the MVC when he was just 17 years and 10 months old. He dared again and won the MVC the second time during the war with Pakistan in 1971.

Among 223 Maha Vir Chakra awardees till date, 76 bravehearts earned the coveted decoration during the war with Pakistan in 1971 on ground, at sea or in the air.

Haryana women block the KMP expressway in Jhajjar district.

Ravinder Saini

Tribune News Service

Jhajjar, March 6

Farmers from Punjab and Haryana displayed a show of unity and bonhomie during the massive blockade at the KMP Expressway near Mandothi village in the district today. They worked in tandem in managing traffic and serving langar, while blocking both sides of the highway peacefully.

• Also read: Approach MLAs on no-trust motion: Samyukt Kisan Morcha
• Farmers raise concrete huts at Tikri border
• Kiran Choudhry’s resolution on farm laws rejected

Virender Hooda, farmer leader

Bonhomie & unity

Brotherhood between Punjab and Haryana farmers is the backbone of this stir. Punjab is discharging the duty of an elder brother, while Haryana is executing its directions properly.

They requested the drivers and cleaners of commercial vehicles stuck in the blockade to join the protesters on the expressway. Moved, many drivers parked their vehicles on the roadside and joined the protest in solidarity with the farmers.

It was the third such protest by the farmers in the past one month after “chakka jam” on February 6 and ‘rail roko’ on February 18 to mount pressure on the Central Government to get the three farm laws

Sudesh Goyat, activis

Women power

The presence of women is a proof that the protest is going strong. We have been supporting the stir from the beginning and will not return home until the laws are repealed.

The two protests in February were led by Haryana farmers, but today’s protest was led by farmers of both states. “Brotherhood between Punjab and Haryana farmers is the backbone of this agitation. Punjab is discharging the duty of an elder brother by leading the agitation, while Haryana is executing the elder brother’s directions and making all necessary arrangements,” said farmer leader Virender Hooda.

Among the protesters were women from Punjab and Haryana in large numbers. Those from Haryana wore black attires and carried black flags, while Punjab women donned yellow “dupattas”. They raised the slogan of “Kisan Ekta Zindabad”.

Sudesh Goyat, a woman activist from Hisar, said: “The presence of women from Punjab and Haryana is a proof that the protest is going strong. We have been supporting the agitation from the beginning and will not return home until the three farm laws are repealed. There is no let-up. We all are determined”.

Addressing Combined Commanders Conference in Gujarat, PM Modi highlighted the need to develop the military into a ‘future force’ taking note of rapidly changing technological landscape.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at Combined Commanders Conference in Gujarat’s Kevadia on 6 March 2021 | PIBText Size: A- A+

New Delhi: Asking the armed forces to shed the legacy system and practices, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday called for enhancing indigenisation in the national security system, not just in sourcing equipment and weapons but also in the doctrines, procedures and customs practised in the three services. 

Addressing the top commanders of the three services at the Combined Commanders Conference in Gujarat’s Kevadia, Modi also called for a holistic approach, focused on breaking down of civil-military silos and on expediting the speed of decision-making.

Taking note of the rapidly changing technological landscape, the PM highlighted the need to develop the Indian military into a “future force”, a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.

The PM also advised the services to rid themselves of legacy systems and practices that have outlived their utility and relevance, it added.

The statement also said PM Modi particularly appreciated the inclusion of Junior Commissioned Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers in this year’onfernce.

Also read: PM Modi hands over indigenous Arjun tank to Army in Tamil Nadu

Indigenisation of military customs

It was not immediately clear what old practices and customs the PM spoke against as the forces draw their traditions from the British era.

Indigenisation of British practices has been a focus area over the past few years, especially since the Modi government came to power in 2014.

Military personnel now increasingly greet each other with ‘Jai Hind’ rather than with ‘Good Morning’, ‘Good Afternoon’ or ‘Good Evening’, an officer in one of the three services said.

Moreover, the marching tunes of the military has now become more or less based on Indian tradition, the officer added. 

There has also been an increasing demand among various quarters to do away with the Sahayak system in the armed forces, especially the Army.https://e913a1d655bbf0c6e1497ad3457bd771.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html

The British officers used to get allotted at least one jawan to take care of their clothes, shoes and other items. It slowly took the turn of able-bodied jawans at peace stations getting posted for household chores.

The formal uniform of the armed forces are also drawn from the British era with brass belts and insignias, another officer said.

Modi appreciates armed forces

Meanwhile, speaking to the highest civilian and military leadership of the national defence system, the PM conveyed his strong appreciation for the resolute dedication shown by the armed forces over the past years, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic and the challenging situation on the northern border.

He emphasised the need to optimise manpower planning in both military and civilian parts of the national security architecture.

The prime minister pointed out that the country would be celebrating 75 years of its independence next year, and called upon the armed forces to use the occasion to undertake activities and initiatives that would inspire the youth of the country, the PMO statement said. 

Also read: Modi dares China, tells Indian Army ‘our enemies have seen your fire and fury’