Farmers protest and demand minimum wage of 18,000 per month

NEW DELHI: On Wednesday, thousands of farmers marched the streets of Delhi, demanding adequate prices for their produce and the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations by the government. The Commission suggests a range of measures to ensure inclusive growth of farmers which include land reforms, easy and cheaper loans for farmers, checking farmers' suicides, among others.

The protesters had also called for loan waiver and a minimum wage of Rs 18,000 per month.

The march started from the historic Ramleela Maidan and ended at Parliament Street of Delhi. During the march, the farmers raised slogans against the policies of the central government. The most popular slogan adopted during the march was: ‘Neeti badlo nahin to sarkar badal denge’ (change policies else we will change the government).

They were also joined by trade union leaders.

The march was jointly organised by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) and the All India Agriculture Workers Union (AIAWU).

Sitaram Yechury, general secretary of the Communist Party of India also joined the protest at Parliament Street.

It was announced by the farmers that a protest will be staged on November 28, 29 by 201 farmers organisations from different states who will march to Delhi. They had also stated that the protest will be intensified if the government fails to accept their demand.