Punjab was again witnessing solid mobilisation of farmers in which thousands of cultivators organised tractor marches in various districts demanding an immediate repeal of the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The demonstrations were held in different farmer unions, and they were organised in the name of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Republic Day.
Starting with small towns and moving to big market regions, the long procession of tractors with national flags and union flags and banners moved calmly across the roads sending a powerful message of defiance to the policies which farmers say are endangering their livelihood.
Tractor Marches Mobilized in a series of Districts
The tractor rallies were organized in other regions of the state including:
- Hoshiarpur
- Mukerian
- Dasuya
- Tanda-Urmur
- Moga and Dharamkot areas
Farmers in most towns assembled early in the morning at grain markets, and then started the marches. The rallies moved along major roads and ended at various destinations and police ensured that there was security to uphold the law and order.
The day was peaceful, although there was a tremendous number of participants in the marches.
Why Farmers Are Protesting
According to Farmer, the Electricity Amendment Bill may have an unimaginable effect on the agricultural sector, small farmers who are often marginalized, and reliant on cheap electricity to irrigate their farms.
The Bill can:
- Cut or stop subsidised farmers power.
- Stimulate privatisation of power distribution.
- Do raise the tariffs of electricity to rural consumers.
- Weakens the state government role of regulation of electricity.
The farmers are of the opinion that agriculture is already under heavy financial strain with the rising input costs (diesel, fertilisers, seeds and electricity).
Major Demands That Were Brought Up During The Protest
Together with the Electricity Amendment Bill being withdrawn, farmers restated some of their long-standing demands:
- Statutory assurance of Minimum Support Price (MSP).
- Withdrawal of the Seeds Bill, 2025
- Repair and reinforcement of MGNREGA.
- Repeal of new labour codes
- Guarantee of the rights of the farmers and state sovereignty.
The leaders of the unions threatened that they might become even more agitated in the next few weeks in case of their refusal.
Farm Leaders Voice Concerns
At the meeting that took place at the marches, the representatives of the farmers declared that electricity is the industry of the Punjab agriculture. They argued that any alteration in policy that will impact power supply will have a direct impact on crop production and income in rural areas.
The leaders further emphasized that reforms ought to be undertaken after significant consultation with the farmers, the state governments and the workers in the power sector.
An Element of a Greater Local Movement
The tractor marches constitute a larger protest movement that has been gaining grounds in Punjab. The last several months farmer unions have organised:
- District-level demonstrations
- Incineration of Electricity and Seeds Bills copies.
- Power department collusion with the employees.
- Publicity of potential rail blockages.
The increased cohesion between the farmers and the workers has brought more pressure on the Centre to restart the discussions.
Government Yet to Respond
Up to date, the Central government has not given any official commitment to withdraw or make amendments to the Electricity Amendment Bill. Although the government insists that reforms are meant to enhance efficiency, farmers are not convinced and insist that they should be totally withdrawn.
Experts indicate that long-term protests might affect the agricultural planning and power management in rural areas unless dialogue is restarted in the near future.
What Lies Ahead
The Republic Day tractor marches have been made very clear by Farmer unions that the Republic Day tractor marches are just the start. Provided their demands remain unmet, there can be protests on the state and national levels.
With Punjab on its way to the next growing season, farmers are demanding that defending cheap electric power is not merely a political challenge, but also a food security and survival problem.