Farmers Protest Union Budget's Corporatisation of Agriculture

Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) leaders criticize the Union Budget for promoting corporatisation of agriculture and reintroducing provisions of repealed farm laws. They argue the budget ignores farmer welfare, lacks mandi system support, and leads to tax biases favoring corporates. Protests and demands for loan waivers and MSP guarantees are planned.

Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Wednesday criticized the Union Budget, claiming it encourages the corporatisation of agriculture and indirectly reintroduces annulled farm laws from two years ago. In a virtual press conference, SKM leaders stated the budget neglects farmers’ welfare and they plan to burn copies of the Budget as a form of protest.

Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait emphasized the lack of provisions for farmers, while Ashish Mittal from All India Kisan Maha Sabha cautioned that natural farming initiatives could reduce production, akin to Sri Lanka’s crisis. Jai Kisan Andolan leader Avik Saha also voiced concerns about the budget’s implicit support for farm laws.

SKM urged a unified protest movement among farmers, workers, women, and youth against the budget, highlighting tax exemptions for MNCs and the absence of corporate tax hikes. They also demanded loan waivers for farmers and an amendment to the GST Act to restore state taxation rights.