Gramin Bharat Bandh today. What will be open, what will be shut?

The farmers’ union, Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has called for a Gramin Bharat Bandh or nationwide strike on Friday, 16 February. The SKM has also urged all like-minded farmer organisations to unite and take part in the day-long protest to press for their demands before the Centre. Notably, the latest Bandh call comes amid the ongoing “Delhi Chalo” march organised by a breakaway faction of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM). Thousands of farmers are marching from Punjab have been stopped at the state border with Haryana near Ambala, which is about 200 kilometres away from Delhi. Several media reports claim that the nationwide strike may have an impact on many services. Here’s a look at what will remain open and closed. What will remain closed? The Bandh will run from 6 am to 4 pm. Farmers will participate in a massive chakka jam on major roads across the country from 12 pm to 4 pm, reported Business Standard. The majority of state and national highways in Punjab will be closed for four hours. Dr Darshan Pal, SKM member of National Coordination Committee (NCC), was quoted by Indian Express as saying, “The Gramin Bharat Bandh call had been planned in December. On this day, villages will remain closed for all agricultural activities and MNREGA and rural works. No farmer, agricultural worker or rural worker will work that day.” Vegetable and other crop sales will continue to be suspended, he stated. Village shops, grain and vegetable markets, government and non-government offices, rural industrial and service sector businesses, and private-sector companies are likely to remain closed. [caption id=“attachment_13717812” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Security personnel deployed near Singhu border in view of farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo March’, in Sonipat district. In addition to troops, drones and other measures have been deployed to ensure law and order is maintained. PTI[/caption] Pal added that during the strike hours, establishments in the towns close to the villages are probably going to stay closed as well. Jagmohan Singh Patiala, NCC member, SKM, told the newspaper that public transport will remain off the roads as the roadways employees unions are also a part of the protest. As per India.com, train services may also be impacted. What will be open? According to Pal, emergency services like ambulances, death, marriage, medical shops, newspaper supply, students travelling for board exams, and passengers to the airport will not be impacted during the Bharat Bandh today. The Times of India report suggests banks will remain open today and operate as usual. Notably, the Reserve Bank of India’s holiday matric also confirms that banks will maintain regular hours. What are their demands? The Gramin Bharat Bandh has been planned by SKM, the umbrella group of more than 500 farmer unions under which the agitation was staged in 2021 against the farm laws. It is not, however, participating in the current “Delhi Chalo” march. Although SKM (non-political) is a branch of SKM, which was established in July 2022 as a result of disagreements, the majority of KMM’s unions are also SKM factions. The demands made by the SKM are similar to those made by two farmer union groups that have issued the “Delhi Chalo” call. According to Indian Express, along with the minimum support price (MSP) for crops, farmer pensions, and other farm demands, their concerns include the implementation of OPS, the withdrawal of labour legislation revisions, and numerous other requests. They want to push for their demands, which include eliminating fixed-term employment, eliminating four labour laws, guaranteeing employment as a fundamental right, prohibiting the privatisation of public sector enterprises, and eliminating contracting of labour. Additionally, they want a minimum pay of Rs 26,000 per month for workers. They also want the MGNREGS strengthened to include 200 workdays a year and a daily wage of Rs 600. They additionally seek the former pension scheme to be reinstated and social security benefits to be available to everyone in the formal and informal sectors. With inputs from agencies