Civil society groups stage protest as part of nation-wide strike in Kalaburagi
The rally began at Jagat Circle, moved through SVP Circle and culminated with a public meeting in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office after a brief road blockade.
The protesters raised slogans against the policies of the BJP-led Union government and the Congress-led State government accusing them both of neglecting the rights of farmers and workers while promoting corporate interests.
The agitation was organised jointly the Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha, the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene, the Dalit Sangharsh Samiti, Welfare Party of India (WPI), Construction Workers Union, Agricultural Labourers Union, Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Anganwadi Workers Union, Federation of Medical Representatives Associations and other like-minded civil society outfits.
Speaking at the gathering, district president of the Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha Sharanabasappa Mamshetti demanded that the Red Gram Board be strengthened along the lines of the Karnataka Milk Federation to ensure fair procurement and market support for red gram farmers.
He also stressed the need for including pulses in school meal programmes under the Akshara Dasoha scheme and called for the legal implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's MSP formula.
CITU district secretary M.B. Sajjan criticised the Union government's labour reforms saying that they strip away hard-earned protections and force workers into conditions of economic subjugation.
He emphasised the plight of unorganised and informal sector workers, including scheme workers, and called for minimum wage guarantees and better legal protections.
Among the prominent demands raised are the enactment of a law to guarantee Minimum Support Price based on the C2+50% formula of the Swaminathan Commission, comprehensive farm loan waivers, immediate release of crop insurance compensation and a rollback of the Electricity Amendment Bill and other agrarian and labour law changes.
The protestors also sought an end to the installation of smart meters for irrigation pumpsets, regularisation of land occupied by landless families and tenant farmers and a state-level minimum wage of ₹36,000 for all categories of workers, including scheme employees and contract labourers.
They urged the government to reinstate the Old Pension Scheme and provide a monthly pension of ₹9,000 for all unorganised workers, while strongly opposing the privatisation of public sector units and essential services.
A memorandum addressed to both the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister was submitted, outlining a range of concerns and demands.
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