Farmers Gear Up For Protests Across AP Over Market Act

Vijayawada- Andhra Pradesh (Before It’s News – IC): The AP Farmers’ Union Coordination Committee has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the new Market Act introduced by the BJP-led central government, alleging it favors corporate interests over farmers’ welfare. The committee has announced protests in all district centers across Andhra Pradesh on December 23.

• Plight of farmers and anti-farmer policies

Addressing a press conference at Gandhinagar Press Club in Vijayawada on Tuesday, AP Farmers’ Union Coordination Committee Convener Vadde Shobhanadishwar Rao accused the central government of introducing anti-farmer policies under the guise of reforms. He urged farmers to burn copies of the new Market Act as a form of protest.

Rao condemned the recent brutal attack on farmers at the Shambhu border near Delhi, warning that the government would be held accountable if any harm comes to Samyukta Kisan Morcha leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal. He urged the central government to engage in dialogue with SKM leaders and stop the crackdown on the protesting farmers.

He criticized the Modi government for failing to fulfill promises made to farmer leaders, accusing it of reintroducing repealed laws through new policies such as the Digital Agricultural Mission, the New Cooperative Act, and the New Market Act.

• Farmers’ key demands

The farmers’ unions reiterated their demands, which include:

1. Implementation of the C2+50 Support Price Act for all crops.
2. Enactment of the Loan Waiver Act.
3. Legislation to provide pensions for farmers, tenant farmers, and agricultural workers.

The leaders resolved to intensify their struggles until their demands are met.

• State and district leaders speak out

The meeting and press conference were attended by key farmers’ union leaders who voiced their concerns, Y Kesava Rao (APRS), KVV Prasad (AP Farmers’ Union), Dr. Kolla Rajamohan (Nallamada Farmers’ Union), Y Krishnaiah (APRS), D Harinath (AIKM), Mareedu Prasad Babu (Kisan Sangathan), Marreddy Venkata Reddy (AIKF), U Ganiraju (AIKMS), M Ramakrishna (IFTU), Jonna Sivashankara Rao (APRS), Malnidi Yalamanda Rao (AP Rythu Sangam), P Anjaneyulu (APRS), and Kasani Ganesh Babu (AIKF).

The leaders urged farmers to participate in the upcoming protests and unite against anti-farmer laws that threaten their livelihoods.

Protests will take place in all district centers on 23 to press for the immediate withdrawal of the Market Act and other demands critical to safeguarding farmers’ interests.