Farmers organisations have started the ‘Rail Roko’ agitation as a protest against the Farm Bills in Shambu, Punjab. After being cleared by the Lok Sabha, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, and The Farming Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 were passed by voice vote in the Rajya Sabha on 27th September,2020. On the same day, these Bills became laws when President Ram Nath Kovind gave a nod to the three bills cleared by Parliament.
The laws were cleared keeping in mind that they’ll fast track the agricultural growth through private sector investment in agricultural infrastructure and supply chains for the farm production. They would promote inter-state and intra-state trade and farmers would have to face minimum obstructions.
Like the BJP ally, Akali Dal claimed that these laws are “anti-farmer” move, the farmers have the same opinion. They have started a three-day protest against these laws. “Rail-roko” agitation has started in Shambu by the farmers of Punjab to protest and act against these laws.