Insult to farmers, says Samyukta Kisan Morcha on PM's 'Andolan-jivi' remark
There would have been no independence without 'andolankaris', says NGO
New Delhi, Feb 8: Samyukta Kisan Morcha, protesting the Centre's new agri laws, on Monday took umbrage at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Andolan-jivi' remark and said it was an insult to the farmers.
The umbrella body of farmers unions said it was the 'andolans' (movement) that liberated India from colonial rule and asserted that they were proud to be 'Andolan-jivi'.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday slammed those abusing agitating Sikh farmers, saying it will not do the country any good as he went on to appeal to the protesting farmers to call off their over two-month-long stir, assuring them of continuing with the purchase of crops at an administered price or MSP.
In the same vein, he also hit out at deleterious influences from abroad, referring to them as 'foreign destructive ideology', as well as a new "breed" of agitators -- 'Andolan-jivi' -- in the country who cannot live without a tumult.
The SKM "condemns the insult" of farmers by the prime minister, a statement from the organisation issued by its leader Darshan Pal, said.
"Farmers would like to remind the PM that it is 'andolans' that have liberated India from colonial rulers and that is why we are proud to be 'Andolan-jivi'."
Hitting out at the BJP, the SKM said, "It is the BJP and it's predecessors who never did any 'andolan' against Britishers and they were always against the 'andolans'. They are still scared of public movements."
In his speech in Rajya Sabha, Modi dug out old statements such as one by his predecessor Manmohan Singh supporting farm reforms to allow farmers to sell their produce where they get the best price, saying the opposition parties had done a 'U-turn' on their own words and they have not been able to give out reasons for the continuation of the farmers' agitation.
"Farmers would be more than happy to get back to farming if the government at least now accepts their legitimate demands, and that it is the government's adamant attitude that is creating more 'Andolan-jivis'," said the SKM statement.
Farmers mainly from Punjab, Haryana and UP are protesting at Delhi borders, blocking main highways, demanding the Centre to repeal its newly enacted farm laws, for two and half months.
"SKM stands with constructive democratic processes that uphold basic human rights anywhere in the world and expects similar reciprocation from all like minded citizens all over the world because injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere," it said.
The Morcha also reiterated its demand for legal provision to ensure minimum support price (MSP) to farmers' produce, saying merely "empty" statements were of no use.
"Empty statements on MSP will not benefit farmers in any way and that such meaningless statements were made in the past too. Farmers will benefit in reality and in an equitable as well as sustainable manner only if MSP is made into a legal guarantee for all crops," it said.
The SKM also questioned the "commitment" of the government in seriously and sincerely resolving the farmers' demands, saying it is introducing Electricity Amendment Bill 2021 despite assuring farmers' organisations of withdrawing the draft bill.
The organisation alleged music videos related to the ongoing farmers' protest have been removed from YouTube.
In a statement, Act Now for Harmony and Democracy (ANHAD) said, "We want to remind the nation that there would have been no independence if there were no andolankaris (not andolanjivis, parjeevi)," the NGO said.
"The andolankaris of India have fought for a society which is just, equal, plural and diverse unlike their brand of andolan which has spread hatred and mayhem in this country," it said.
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Maharashtra sets up state vaccination task force to strengthen immunisation programme
Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra government has set up a State Vaccination Task Force to strengthen the regular immunisation programme and review the progress of related campaigns, a health department official said on Monday.
The State Vaccination Task Force will comprise at least 29 members and will be headed by the administrative head of the health department, he informed.
The government has also constituted separate district-level and municipal vaccination task forces to improve implementation and address challenges at the grassroots level, he said.
Municipal task forces, chaired by respective civic commissioners, have been constituted in view of the vast urban population in Maharashtra and the role of civic bodies in implementing different health programmes.
The district-level task forces will function under the chairmanship of collectors.
"Complete immunisation of children at the appropriate age is an extremely simple, cost-effective and highly effective measure to reduce child mortality and the prevalence of diseases among kids. Immunisation is a powerful tool for reducing illness in children," maintained the official.
To ensure full vaccination of all children, the state government implements various campaigns from time to time as per the central government guidelines, he pointed out.
"Active participation and cooperation of other relevant government departments are essential (in making these campaigns successful)," according to the official.
The state-level body will review the regular immunisation programme, associated campaigns and vaccine-preventable diseases in detail. It will also conduct focused assessments of high-risk districts and municipal corporations, including vacancies at district, municipal and sub-district levels, availability of cold chain equipment, resource gaps and training requirements, he noted.
The state task force will review allocation and utilisation of funds for immunisation and ensure timely action by officers concerned based on reports from district and municipal task forces and state-level monitoring mechanisms, the official said.
It will also ensure active coordination and participation of other government departments in immunisation drives, while district and municipal task forces will carry out similar functions at their respective levels, the official added.
