Punjab CM Amarinder Singh to stage dharna at Jantar Mantar over Centre's farm laws

Acting on the advice of Delhi Police, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh will now stage relay 'dharna' along with his Cabinet colleagues and legislators at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Wednesday in place of Rajghat.

He will reach Jantar Mantar after paying respect to the Father of the Nation at Rajghat at 12 noon.

"Leaving to Delhi to pay my respects to Mahatma Gandhi ji at Raj Ghat. We will highlight the issues of our farmers and seek immediate restoration of goods trains to Punjab by the Centre," Singh Tweeted.

Leaving for Delhi to pay my respects to Mahatma Gandhi Ji at Raj Ghat. We will highlight the issues of our farmers and seek immediate restoration of goods trains to Punjab by the Centre. pic.twitter.com/UZlowQscLd

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) November 4, 2020

The MLAs' dharna, earlier scheduled to be held at Rajghat, has now been shifted to Jantar Mantar on the request of Delhi Police in view of various security restrictions in place in the national capital, an official statement by the Chief Minister's Office said on Wednesday.

The dharna has been called to highlight the state's "power crisis and critical essential supplies" situation amid the Centre's alleged adamant refusal to allow movement of goods trains due to farmers' agitation.

The Chief Minister said that Punjab had run out of coal, urea and DAP and other essential supplies due to the Indian Railways decision not to ply goods trains even after the farmers eased their blockade to allow such movement.

As the crisis resulted in a complete shutdown of all power plants as well as curtailment of agricultural and vegetable supplies, the Chief Minister said, he had decided to hold a "symbolic relay dharna" to bring the state's grim situation to the Centre`s notice.

The Chief Minister had earlier failed to get an appointment with President Ram Nath Kovind on the agriculture-related amendment Bills.

Since Section 144 of the CrPC is enforced in Delhi, party MLAs will go from Punjab Bhawan in Delhi to the dharna site in batches of four, he said, adding that he will lead the first batch.

Last month, Punjab has passed a resolution rejecting the recent farm laws brought by the Centre and passed four Bills to counter the Central laws.

In September, President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to the three farm bills which have now become laws. These are The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2020.

(With agency inputs)