Punjab farmers' unions to lift rail blockade for 15 days, CM urges Centre to resume trains

Following CM Amarinder Singh's appeal to call off 'Rail Roko Andolan', Punjab farmers have decided to lift rail blocke on vember 23 onwards for next 15 days, allowing all goods and passenger trains to continue services. On vember 13, Punjab CM h urged farmer unions to lift off ir blocke, assuring state government's support against three farm bills introduced by Centre. 

Farmers have been observing 'Rail Roko Andolan' since September, with several unions squatting on railway tracks restricting trains from plying as usual. As a result, Railway Ministry h suspended goods railway services, which consequently impacted transport of coal and or essentials in state. Railways h asked Punjab state government for assurance of farmers' safety, without which trains would t be allowed to operate.  

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'Delhi Chalo'

decision to end 'Rail Roko Andolan' comes amid farmers' bodies call to march towards Delhi and protest in national capital. As per PTI, farm leer Ruldu Singh has stated that 'lakhs of farmers' will go to Delhi on tractors to take part in a protest on vember 26 and 27. All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), a body of more than 200 farmer organisations across country has also issued a 'Delhi Chalo' call. 

farmers' protest continues even as y met with Centre at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi last week to discuss contentious farm laws. Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal and Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar represented Centre and h hoped to 'clear doubts' of farmers before festive season. 

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What are three farm bills?

During monsoon session of Parliament which was held amid COVID-19 outbreak, Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha h passed three farm bills aimed at reforms in agriculture sector amid severe Opposition. bills introduced have also received President's assent. se bills included amending Essential Commodities act to enable better price realisation for farmers by attracting investments - making agriculture sector competitive.  Agriculture foodstuff including cereals, edible oils, oilseeds, pulses, onions and potato to be deregulated while stock limits were to imposed under extreme conditions. Under Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm services ordinance, 2020, it provided a framework for protection and empowerment of farmers with reference to sale and purchase of farm products overriding all state APMC laws.

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