Farmer group protests against Electricity Amendment Bill

The Hindu
The Hindu
2d ago • 6 views
Farmers in Punjab protested against the Electricity Amendment Bill and Seed Bill, demanding their withdrawal.
Farmer group protests against Electricity Amendment Bill
A What happened
Farmers in Punjab staged protests on December 8, 2025, against the Electricity Amendment Bill and the Seed Bill, organized by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha. The protests were widespread, occurring outside various offices of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and included a railway blockade. Demonstrators burned copies of the proposed bills, voicing their opposition to the Electricity Amendment Bill, which they labeled as anti-farmer and feared would lead to privatization of the power sector and increased costs for consumers. Additionally, they opposed the Seed Bill, alleging it would negatively impact farmers and reintroduce provisions similar to the three farm laws that had been repealed after extensive protests. Various farmer organizations participated in the demonstrations, emphasizing their demands for the withdrawal of both bills.

Key insights

  • 1

    Protests Organized by Farmer Groups: The Samyukt Kisan Morcha led the protests, highlighting organized resistance against government policies.

  • 2

    Concerns Over Privatization: Farmers expressed fears that the Electricity Amendment Bill would privatize the power sector, increasing consumer costs.

  • 3

    Opposition to Seed Bill: The Seed Bill faced backlash for allegedly threatening farmers' interests and reintroducing harmful provisions.

Takeaways

The protests reflect ongoing tensions between farmers and the government regarding agricultural policies. Farmers continue to advocate for their interests against proposed legislative changes.

Topics

Climate & Environment Agriculture World & Politics Policy & Regulation Energy