Reiterating the support and continuous participation in the Farmer’s struggle, women organizations call upon women all over the country to participate in large numbers in the ‘district level Dharnas’ campaign by farmers on 14th December 2020.
The three farm Laws are not only against farmers but it is detrimental to the food security and sovereignty of our country. It is in violation of the National Food Security Act. These bills not only dismantle the Public Distribution System (PDS) but will lead to scarcity of food, uncontrolled price rise, more hunger and malnutrition and starvation deaths. In India two-thirds of women and children are already malnourished.
These Laws will also damage our land and water resources.
These three Laws do not recognize women as farmers. These Laws will end up in snatching away the farm land from the small and marginal farmers especially from the women farmers. As it is only around 12% farmland is owned by women farmers. The land owning farmers will become bonded labourers of the corporates. The future of the agricultural workers, around 45% of whom are women, will be a big question mark.
Instead of empowering farmers, the Modi government, through these Acts not only makes the farmers beggars and slaves of corporates but also makes the Government of India itself an accomplice to the loot and exploitation by corporates.
Amendments to the Essential Commodities Act are nothing but legalising hoarding and black marketing. Eventually the government will disappear from procurement and distribution of essential food items. It is also a way for the government to step away from its Constitutional duties.
Women’s organisations demands -
1- Repeal all three Farm Laws, withdraw Electricity bill 2020
2- Save food security and sovereignty.
3- Ensure decentralised production and procurement with remunerative prices and Set up Mandis at Block Level.
4- Coarse grains, pulses and edible oil also should be procured with remunerative prices.
5- Universalise PDS with legal entitlement of coarse grains, pulses and edible oil and all essential items.
6- Recognize women farm producers as Farmers and ensure their rights as farmers.
Mariam Dhawale AIDWA
Annie Raja,NFIW
Kavita Krishnan AIPWA
Chhabi Mohanti AIMSS
Poonam Kaushik PMS
Meetali Gupta AIAMS
