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Man harassed and tortured for opposing ‘Indira thok di…’ video of a farmer protestor threatening to kill PM Modi, forced to resign

OpIndia Staff
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Man harassed and tortured for opposing ‘Indira thok di…’ video of a farmer protestor threatening to kill PM Modi, forced to resign

In a disturbing incident that reportedly took place in Uttar Pradesh, a man lost his job over a Facebook comment. The victim named Vijaypal Singh had been working at the post of vice-principal in a private school named Akal Academy in Kajri Niranjanpur in Uttar Pradesh before he was sacked for a Facebook comment that he made on a viral video relating to the ongoing farmer protests.

Talking to UP Tak, Singh narrated his harrowing tale. He told that he saw a video on November 30 in which a protestor was seen threatening that Prime Minister Modi would meet the same fate as former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Commenting on the video Singh warned against making such threats of assassination. Singh’s counter did not go down well with extremist elements including some locals who started harassing him and threatening him over the phone.

Singh, a resident of Puranpur, said that he had worked on various positions in the schools run by the particular community. He alleged that being a Hindu he was subjected to extreme harassment by the members of the community. They took him to the school and forced him to apologise. They recorded a video of his apology and circulated it online. They snatched his phone and posted an apology on social media account.

Held captive for hours and forced to resign

Singh has alleged that this did not end at the apology, he was held captive for hours and was tortured. He was also made to write a resignation letter. Singh said that he was still receiving threat calls from national and international numbers. “I am terrified and even scared to leave my house. I worked there for 18 years with utmost dedication and honesty. I consider myself a part of the community (Sikhs)”, said Singh. Expressing helplessness Singh said that he even worked during lockdown when people did not receive salary for months but now after losing his job he faced the challenge to feed his family.

I am scared for my life: Vijaypal Singh

“I am afraid that some untoward incident might happen with me”, said a scared Vijaypal Singh. “I never considered their religion different from mine. I served their religion and this is what I get. I am scared for my life. How will my children survive if something happens to me. I have a teenage daughter and an aged mother with diabetes and heart ailment. My mother is not able to eat, I am not able to eat as I have been receiving threat calls late in the night”, Singh narrated. “How will I live? Is it a crime to be a Hindu? They point out that I belong to a different community”, he added.

Singh broke down narrating the tale of his suffering and said he along with his family will commit suicide. Singh said that said he being portrayed like a villain while the person in the video was bragging about assassinating Indira Gandhi. He said that they could have suspended him instead of firing him. The police have reportedly been investigating the matter. CO Puranpur, Pradeep Kumar said that a case has been registered at Puranpur police station at the complaint of the victim. He added that necessary action will be taken after collecting the evidence.

Centre approves USOF scheme for mobile networks in uncovered villages in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, undersea fibre optic link to Lakshadweep islands

OpIndia Staff
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Centre approves USOF scheme for mobile networks in uncovered villages in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, undersea fibre optic link to Lakshadweep islands

The Indian government on Wednesday sanctioned the provision of a universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) scheme, paving the way for providing mobile coverage in a large number of uncovered villages in Arunachal Pradesh and in two districts of Assam. The Union Cabinet took the decision under the Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan (CTDP) for the North Eastern Region (NER).

As per the project, about 2374 uncovered villages—1683 in Arunachal Pradesh and 691 in two districts of Assam, namely Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao—would be getting mobile coverage. The implementation cost of the project is pegged at about Rs 2,029 crore, including operational expenses for five years, as per an official release. The project will be financed by USOF, and the deadline for the project completion is December 2022.

The USOF envisions providing widespread and non-discriminatory access to quality ICT services at affordable prices to people in rural and remote areas. It acts as an effective and powerful linkage to the hinterland thereby mainstreaming the population of rural and remote parts of the country. The Fund also ensures in providing universal service in an economically efficient manner.

Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to Twitter to express his gratitude to PM Modi and the Cabinet for the approval for the provision of a Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) Scheme.

Approval of USOF scheme would unlock new opportunities for hitherto uncovered areas

The work related to the deployment of 4G mobile services in identified uncovered villages will be awarded through an open competitive bidding process as per existing USOF procedures. The provision of mobile services in remote areas of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, will strengthen digital connectivity important for self-reliance, facilitate learning, dissemination of information and knowledge, skill upgradation and development, disaster management, e-governance initiatives, the establishment of enterprises and e-commerce facilities.

The advent of mobile services would provide support to educational institutes for knowledge sharing and enhance job opportunities, fulfilling the vision of Digital India, promoting domestic manufacturing and accomplishing the objective of self-reliant India(Atmanirbhar Bharat).

Undersea fibre optic cable link with Lakshadweep approved

The union government also approved an undersea optical fibre cable link to connect 11 islands of Lakshadweep with Kochi in mainland India under the USOF scheme. The project will cost an estimated amount of ₹1,072 crore, including operational expenses for five years. The Lakshadweep-Kochi project was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Independence Day this year. In August, PM Modi inaugurated India’s first undersea cable line between Chennai and Port Blair, the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The 11 islands of Lakshadweep that will be linked with Kochi using the undersea fibre cable are Kavaratti, Kalpeni, Agati, Amini, Androth, Minicoy, Bangaram, Bitra, Chetlat, Kiltan and Kadmat. The Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) funded project will be be executed by state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) will execute the project. Telecommunications Consultant India Ltd (TCIL) has been appointed as the technical consultant for the project that will assist USOF.

Internet speeds of up to 400 gigabyte (Gb) per second will be provided at Port Blair and 200 Gb per second for other islands. Presently only medium of providing telecom connectivity to Lakshadweep is through satellites, but the bandwidth available is limited to 1 Gbps. Lack of bandwidth is a major constraint in providing data services, which is a pre-requisite for providing e-governance, e-education, e-banking etc. for inclusive growth of society.

The ownership of the asset under the project will rest with USOF, the funding agency, under DoT, a statement issued by the Ministry of Communications said.

After exporting Coronavirus to the world, China holds a ‘fashion show’ of PPE kits notorious for being faulty

OpIndia Staff
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After exporting Coronavirus to the world, China holds a ‘fashion show’ of PPE kits notorious for being faulty

Months after exporting the highly contagious coronavirus across the world, China held a ‘fashion show’, showcasing what it claimed to be the latest trends in personal protective gear, equipment that is critical in containing the spread of the infection.

In a bid to capitalise on the raging pandemic which has forced several countries into panic buying of protective equipment, China organised a fashion show of the PPE kits where it displayed an array of COVID-19 protective gears that the Chinese companies manufactured.

Over the last weekend, a variety of personal protective equipment (PPE) was featured on the ramp walk at China-Dandong Fashion Week in China’s northeastern province of Liaoning.

It is notable to mention that COVID-19, which has wreaked havoc across the world, with rarely any place that has not yet been touched by the contagion, is believed to have been originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan. The Chinese government is also accused of not being transparent and forthcoming about the coronavirus in its initial days, which ultimately helped the local contagion transform into a global pandemic. Throughout the world, more than 68 million people have been affected by the coronavirus, and 1.56 million people had lost their lives.

While China organised an exposition of the hazmat suits and other protective equipment, it is pertinent to note that at the start of the pandemic, the protective gears exported by China to several nations had failed to pass the safety test and turned out to be faulty.

PPE kits and other COVID protective equipment imported from China failed safety standards

Several nations including Spain, Turkey, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Britain and India had reported that the PPE kits imported from China were found to be faulty. In April 2020, India received about 63,000 COVID protection kits from China failed the quality test. According to the reports, the kits were reportedly donated to the Indian officials.

The health authorities in Spain, Turkey, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Britain reportedly paid millions of dollars to Chinese companies to secure the protective equipment but the kits received by them turned out to be defective. The Netherlands snapped up 600 thousand masks from China, only to find out later that they did not meet the required quality standards.

The pandemic provided a fresh opportunity to China’s robust counterfeiting industry to dupe buyers into selling fake PPE and other COVID-19 protective equipment. As per a report, by March 12 Chinese officials had already seized millions of pieces of faulty equipment. They included more than 80 million faulty masks and 37000 defective or fake disinfectants.

The UK’s medicine regulator warns against use of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine by people with a history of allergic reactions

OpIndia Staff
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The UK’s medicine regulator warns against use of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine by people with a history of allergic reactions

The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has warned the country’s health services not to administer the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to people with a significant history of allergic reactions. The warning was issued after two people who were administered the vaccine yesterday developed allergic reactions. The UK became the first country to roll-out a fully tested vaccine after hospitals had started administering the vaccine to patients and medics since yesterday.

According to TIME, the advisory of the MHRA said that any person with a history of significant allergic reactions to vaccines, medicine or food should not be vaccinated with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. The advisory said that vaccinations should be done in places where resuscitation facilities are available. While hospital trusts have already been informed the MHRA was expected to issue a press release today.

The Chief of the MHRA reportedly said at a Parliamentary hearing today that two people, both medical staff, who were administered the vaccine had developed allergic reactions. These two people had histories of anaphylactoid reactions but they were recovering. Medical Director of National Health Service (NHS), Stephen Powis said in a statement, “As is common with new vaccines the MHRA have advised on a precautionary basis that people with significant history of allergic reactions do not receive this vaccination after two people with a history of significant allergic reactions responded adversely yesterday. Both are recovering well”.

The vaccine was approved by the MHRA for emergency use based on preliminary data from phase 3 human trials that showed it to be safe and highly effective. The first 800,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be administered to people over 80 years of age who are already hospitalised or are scheduled for outpatient procedures and nursing staff. The NHS workers, especially those administering the vaccine will also get the first doses of the vaccines. However, the vaccine has not been made mandatory for anyone.

Nirmala Sitharaman ranks 41st in Forbes list of 100 most powerful women, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw and Roshni Nadar Malhotra also in the list

OpIndia Staff
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Nirmala Sitharaman ranks 41st in Forbes list of 100 most powerful women, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw and Roshni Nadar Malhotra also in the list

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has been ranked 41st most powerful woman in the world by Forbes. Two more Indian women, HCL Corporation CEO and Executive Director Roshni Nadar Malhotra and Biocon Founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, are also in the list of top 100 most powerful women in the world.

Angela Merkel ranked No.1 for the tenth consecutive year

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been ranked No.1 on the list for the 10th consecutive year. European Central Bank head Christine Lagarde has grabbed the second position for the second year in a row. US Vice President-elect Kamala Harris had grabbed 3rd position in the list. Harris made it to the index for the first time this year.

Sitharaman is the first full-time female finance minister of India

Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was appointed as the finance minister of India in May 2019. She is currently holding the position of Minister for Corporate Affairs as well. Sitharaman is the first full-time female finance minister of India. Before her, then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi held the position for almost one year in 1969-70.

Roshni Nadar Malhotra claimed 55th rank

CEO of HCL Corporation, Roshni Nadar Malhotra, claimed the 55th spot in the Forbes 2020 list. As the CEO of the company, she is responsible for strategic decisions. HCL has been valued at $8.9 billion. Malhotra was appointed chairperson of the company in July 2020. She is also a trustee of the Shiv Nadar Foundation that mainly focuses on education.

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw claimed 68th rank

India’s richest self-made woman, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, is the founder of India’s largest biopharmaceutical company Biocon Limited. Biocon has the largest insulin factory in Asia, located in the Johor region of Malaysia. Recently, Biocon received permission from the Government of India to conduct the Phase 4 trial for Itolizumab as a potential treatment for coronavirus infection.

‘Liberals’, Congress leaders attack IAF for asking Anil Kapoor and Anurag Kashyap to maintain decorum while using its uniform

OpIndia Staff
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‘Liberals’, Congress leaders attack IAF for asking Anil Kapoor and Anurag Kashyap to maintain decorum while using its uniform

After the Indian Air Force (IAF) objected to the inappropriate portrayal of its uniform in an upcoming Netflix movie named AK vs AK starring Anil Kapoor and Anurag Kashyap, many Congress supporters and liberals jumped in to preach the Indian Air Force asking it not to take that seriously. In the trailer of the movie, Kapoor, in the IAF uniform, is seen using foul language and behaving in a manner that lowers the dignity of the uniform. The IAF had objected to this and had asked the relevant scenes to be withdrawn from the movie.

However, this did not go down well with some congress supporters and liberals who started sermonising the IAF on ‘letting go’. One Congress supporter reminded the IAF that it was “just a movie” and that it did not demean their glory.

Another person named Shilpi Tiwari, perhaps assuming that the IAF were not aware that it was a movie, gave a detailed explanation about how the uniform was a “costume” and Kapoor was not an IAF officer but an actor. She, in turn, attacked the IAF for ‘targeting’ the movie and questioned whether they would “target” kids in fancy dress competitions if they wore “uniform costume”.

Similarly, a “writer”, “nyctophile”, “ailurophile” and “thalassophile”, as claimed by her Twitter bio, named Saniya Sayed pointed out to the IAF that it was just a movie and that they needed to “chill”.

Another person who does by the name @vanillaessence on Twitter grew nostalogic after IAF’s objection to the scenes in the movie and recalled how back in school her friend had donned the IAF uniform inappropriately in a fancy dress party and sung the Mogli song.

Another Twitter user who goes by the name @meetsengupta also tried to explain the purpose of cinema to the IAF and the “point” that the filmamakers were trying to make. She also put in her perspective to make IAF understand better.

Saving all the efforts to preach the IAF, this Twitter user named @aaliznat went to declare that the person handling the IAF Twitter account was a “sanghi”.

Recently, Anil Kapoor and Anurag Kashyap had engaged in an orchestrated public gimmick to promote their movie AK vs AK that will be released on Netflix.

BJP leading in Rajasthan rural body polls, party president Nadda says results show farmers and poors trust PM Modi

OpIndia Staff
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BJP leading in Rajasthan rural body polls, party president Nadda says results show farmers and poors trust PM Modi

Bharatiya Janata Party is leading in the Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad elections held in 21 districts of Rajasthan. Though the counting is underway, BJP is maintaining a strong lead on the majority of the seats ahead of the ruling party Congress.

So far, 1,833 Panchayat Samiti members from BJP have won, while Congress has grabbed 1,713 seats. Independent candidates have won 420 seats. In Zila Parishad polls, BJP has won 265 hearts while Congress won 201 seats.

J P Nadda congratulated party workers

BJP Chief J P Nadda congratulated the party workers and said that the victory in Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad elections show that poor, labourers and farmers have trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In his tweet, Nadda said that women, farmers, and other rural voters are showing faith in BJP.

People have faith in PM Modi, says BJP leaders

By Tuesday afternoon, Congress was leading the seats, but by evening the results start to favour BJP in both Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections. Satish Poonia, state BJP president, said that this was a historic performance. He added that the results show people have trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ideas for farmers.

In the recent urban body elections in Rajasthan, Congress got a majority in four out of six municipal corporations, including Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Kota. The party was expecting to continue its winning spree in rural elections, too, but it could not happen.

BSP and CPI(M) grabbed seats in Panchayat Samiti

CPI(M) managed to win 16 Panchayat Samiti seats, out of which notable one was Sikar. BSP managed to win three seats. CPI(M) also won two Zila Parishad seats from Hanumangarh.

Local body elections in 21 districts in Rajasthan

Out of 33 districts in Rajasthan, local body polls were held in 21 districts were Ajmer, Banswara, Barmer, Bhilwara, Bikaner, Bundi, Chittorgarh, Churu, Dungarpur, Hanumangarh, Jaisalmer, Jalore, Jhalawar, Jhunjhunu, Nagaur, Pali, Pratapgarh, Rajsamand, Sikar, Tonk, and Udaipur. 12,663 candidates were trying their luck against 4,371 Panchayat Samiti posts. 1,778 candidates against 636 Zila Parishad posts tried their luck in these elections.

NDTV spreads fake news about Made In India coronavirus vaccines, union Health Ministry busts claims

OpIndia Staff
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NDTV spreads fake news about Made In India coronavirus vaccines, union Health Ministry busts claims

The union ministry of Health and Family Welfare has clarified that it has not rejected emergency use proposals for Coronavirus vaccines from Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech. The ministry said that a new report by controversial media house NDTV is fake.

A report published by NDTV had claimed that Serum institute and Bharat Biotech’s proposals for emergency use of their Coronavirus vaccines use were not cleared over inadequate safety and efficacy data. The report quoted ‘sources’ claiming that “Both proposals are not approved due to inadequate safety and efficacy data available currently. Both have been asked for more data.”

The report stated that Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine-maker, had requested approval for the Oxford vaccine, Covishield, on December 6, and Bharat Biotech had applied for emergency use approval of its indigenously-developed COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin.

However, Twitter handles of health ministry and PIB fact check said that the report is fake, and the proposals have not been rejected.

Although the government responded to the NDTV report, it was also carried by several other media houses. News18, India Today, CNBC TV 18 and several other media houses had carried similar news reports claiming that emergency use authorization has not been granted to Covid-19 vaccines of Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech over lack of data. All the media reports credited ‘sources’ for their reports.

NIA files charge-sheet against 16 foreign-based Khalistani terrorists of Sikhs For Justice in ‘Referendum-2020’ case

OpIndia Staff
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NIA files charge-sheet against 16 foreign-based Khalistani terrorists of Sikhs For Justice in ‘Referendum-2020’ case

On Wednesday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed charge-sheet against 16 accused associated with the Khalistani terrorist organisation Sikh for Justice (SFJ) in Referendum-2020.

According to the reports, the NIA filed a charge-sheet in a special court in Delhi against 16 Khalistani terrorists, who currently operate from foreign soil in connection with plotting conspiracy against India by launching a concerted secessionist campaign under the banner of ‘Referendum 2020’ for creation of ‘Khalistan’.

A case was registered against the accused under various IPC sections 120B, 124A, 153A, 153B and 505 of IPC and 13, 17 and 18 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The charge-sheet nails the conspiracy of how Pakistan-backed Khalistani groups are fomenting trouble in Punjab.

The charge-sheeted accused are Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Avtar Singh Pannun, Gurpreet Singh Baagi, Harpreet Singh, Paramjit Singh, Sarabjit Singh Bannur, Amardeep Singh Purewal, JS Dhaliwal, Kulwant Singh Mothada, Dupinderjit Singh, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Kulwant Singh, Harjaap Singh, Sarabjit Singh, Jatinder Singh Grewal, S Himmat Singh/ The above individuals are members of Sikh For Justice, an organization banned by the Indian government for involving in terror-related activities. The NIA has shared the details in a press release.

Sikhs For Justice: A Pakistan sponsored terror group that radicalises Sikh youths against India

Earlier, the NIA investigation in the case had revealed that Sikhs For Justice was nothing but a terror group that operates with the support of Pakistan’s ISI and has offices in various foreign countries like the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia etc. The NIA had disclosed that SFJ propagates secession and also instigates enmity on the grounds of region and religion to radicalise impressionable youth and to cause disturbance to peace and harmony and to raise funds for terrorist activities.

The terror organisation SFJ has been attempting to undermine the security of the Indian State by instigating Sikh personnel in the Indian army to rise up in mutiny against India. SFJ is also trying to radicalize youth of Kashmir and openly extending support for the secession of Kashmir from India, the NIA had disclosed.

Earlier, the NIA had also carried out searches at six locations in Punjab’s Ferozpur, Ludhiana and Moga in connection with the hoisting of the Khalistani flag by cadres of the outlawed Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) organisation on the eve of Independence Day. 

SFJ links to the farmers’ protests in India

The farmers’ protest saw participation from pro-Khalistani elements. Several ‘farmers’ resorted to violence and worrying slogans, supporting Khalistan were also raised. With pro-Khalistan and anti-Indian slogans being raised during the ‘farmer protest’ along the Haryana-Punjab border, questions were also being raised over the alleged involvement of SFJ in instigating Punjab farmers to protest against the Modi government under the pretext that the three farm bills are ‘anti-farmer’ in nature.

The SFJ collusion indicated the involvement of pro-Khalistan elements to hijack these farmer protest.  

It is important to note that the Khalistan organisation SFJ, funded by Pakistan, had earlier declared a grant of $1 million for farmers in Punjab and Haryana in lieu of their support for Khalistan.

On 23rd September, it was reported that the SFJ had attempted to capitalise on the ongoing protests by farmers and had declared that it would distribute $1 million among farmers who had defaulted on agricultural loans.

Top SFJ functionary Paramjit Singh Pamma, who is on the most-wanted list of the NIA, was also seen at a “Kisan Rally” in London. Pamma was at spotted at the rally with his supporters. The rally saw Khalistani flags and anti-India slogans.

Agitating farmers reject govt proposals to amend farm laws, to block more roads to Delhi, capture toll plazas

OpIndia Staff
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Agitating farmers reject govt proposals to amend farm laws, to block more roads to Delhi, capture toll plazas

The agitating farmers from Punjab have rejected the proposals sent by the union government, remaining adamant with their demand that the new farm laws must be withdrawn. The farmer organisations have decided only to continue the protest, but also to intensify the same.

Announcing the decision, Darshan Pal, President of Krantikari Kisan Union, said that they are rejecting the proposals of the govt. He also announced that the farmers will block the Delhi-Jaipur and Delhi-Agra highways on 12th December as part of the agitation. They will also capture the toll plazas on the highways across the country, freeing them.

On 14th December, the protesting farmers will launch nationwide protests, with gherao of BJP offices across the country, and protest demonstrations will be held. The farmers have further announced that they will boycott Reliance malls, and will port out their Jio numbers to other networks.

Pal said that they have also appealed to the farmers from the other parts of the country to join the protests. It may be noted that the ongoing protests have been done by farmers mostly from Punjab, with negligible support from farmers from other states.

The All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) released a statement on government’s proposal and termed them “old proposals dressed up as new”.

“Modi govt insincere & arrogant about resolving farmers demands; all farmers bodies rightly reject old proposals dressed up as new. AIKSCC and all farmer organisations reiterate their demand to repeal 3 farm acts and EB 2020 . Protest to continue, more farmers to join in, in Delhi. District level dharnas to start in all states,” the press release stated.

Earlier, the agriculture ministry had sent proposals to the farmer organisations offering to make several amendments to the new farm laws. The proposals made by the govt included same tax rate for APMC and private markets, amendment to dispute resolution mechanism, amendment to market registration system, amendment to contract farming law, assurance of minimum support price, assurances on govt procurement, withdrawal of the air pollution law that penalises stubble burning by farmers, and withdrawal of the electricity act.

These proposals broadly covers all the apprehensions raised by the farmers regarding the three farm laws. But still the organisations rejected them, demanding complete withdrawal of the laws.

The proposals were sent after representatives of the farmers had met union home minister Amit Shah yesterday. A delegation of 13 farmer leaders had met the home minister.

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