Punjab News Highlights: SC defers hearing on shifting Jagjit Dallewal to hospital amid ongoing negotiations

The Punjab government on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on an indefinite fast for over a month, has agreed for medical aid given the Centre accepted his proposal to hold talks.

A vacation bench of Justices Surya Kant and Sudhanshu Dhulia took note of a plea moved by Punjab government seeking an additional three days to comply with SC's December 20 order.

"...As per the negotiators there is a proposal given by the farmers to the Central government that in case they get an invite for a talk, Dallewal is ready to take medical help as desired,” Punjab advocate general Gurminder Singh said. (PTI)

The farmers called for Punjab Bandh on Monday, urging the government to listen to their list of demands, which include law guaranteeing the purchase of all crops at minimum support price (MSP), a complete debt waiver for farmers and labourers, and the nationwide reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, among other demands.

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The Supreme Court on Tuesday deferred its hearing till January 2 on compliance of its order by the Punjab government on shifting of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been fasting for past 35 days over various demands, to hospital.

A vacation bench of Justices Surya Kant and Sudhanshu Dhulia listed the matter for further hearing on January 2 after Advocate General Gurminder Singh, appearing for the Punjab government, said that an application has been moved seeking three days more time for compliance of the court's December 20 order.

Singh said that a team of negotiators are holdings talks with the protesting farmers at the protest site and efforts are being made to shift Dallewal to the nearby makeshift hospital on Punjab side of Khanauri border.

The bench said it does not want to comment on the discussions with the protesting farmers and it only wants compliance of its earlier orders.

Punjab Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa on Monday strongly criticised the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government for its alleged mishandling of the ongoing farmers' agitation.

Bajwa, who is Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, accused the AAP government "of betraying Punjab's agrarian community and colluding with the BJP to undermine the state's proud legacy".

Referring to Monday's Punjab bandh, call for which had been given by two farmers' forums spearheading the ongoing protest, Bajwa said that "the farmers of Punjab have once again demonstrated their unity and resolve by making today's bandh a historic success".

"This movement underscores the legitimacy of their demands and the failure of both the AAP-led Punjab government and the BJP-led central government to address their concerns. Farmers are, and will always be, the backbone of our nation," he said in a statement. (PTI)

Aadmi Party MP Malvinder Singh Kang on Monday criticized the central government for its "continued indifference" towards the demands of farmers protesting at the Punjab-Haryana border.

The Anandpur Sahib MP also urged the Centre to immediately open dialogue with the protesting farmers to break the ongoing deadlock and address their demands.

In a statement here, Kang highlighted the grave health concerns surrounding farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a hunger strike for over a month.

"The people of Punjab, along with the farming community, are deeply concerned about the deteriorating health of Jagjit Singh Dallewal. The central government must take this issue seriously and begin dialogue with farmers without any further delay," Kang said. (PTI)

Severe cold gripped Haryana and Punjab on Monday, with maximum temperatures hovering well below normal limits in the two states.

A thick blanket of fog reduced visibility early in the morning at many places in the two states.

Piercing cold prevailed in Chandigarh during the day with the city recording a maximum temperature of 11.3 degrees Celsius, it's coldest day of the winter season so far, over eight notches below normal, according to the local Met office.

In Haryana, severe cold prevailed during the day at most places.

The maximum temperature in Ambala was recorded at 12 degrees Celsius, Hisar 14.5 degrees, Karnal 13.2 degrees, Rohtak 12.7 degrees, and Gurugram recorded a high of 13 degrees Celsius.

In Punjab, cold wave swept Pathankot, which recorded a high of 11 degrees Celsius while Bathinda registered a maximum of 12.4 degrees. (PTI)

WITH two days to go for a deadline set by the Supreme Court for hospitalisation of fasting farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, the Punjab government is racing against time, without making much headway.

Sources said that twice since Saturday evening, the Aam Aadmi Party government has sent a delegation of senior police officers to Khanauri on the Haryana border to meet Dallewal and open a channel of communication with the protesters, but failed to convince the farmer leader to break his fast. Till reports last came in, another team was at the spot talking to Dallewal and other protesters.

The Supreme Court, which will hold its next hearing on the issue on December 31, pulled up the Punjab government severely Saturday, saying there was an “impression” that it was not doing enough to save Dallewal’s life. When the state argued that the protesters had called youth to gather at the spot to thwart any move to shift Dallewal, the Court asked why the situation had been allowed to reach this stage. “It is abetment of suicide. You first create a problem and then you take a plea, now there is a problem, we can do nothing,” the Bench said. Read More

In wake of the protesting farmers' 'Punjab bandh' call, traffic movement was disrupted in Jammu and Kashmir's Lakhanpur, which is considered the gateway and entry point of entire surface transport to the state of Jammu & Kashmir from outside the state. - PTI

On December 24, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held a high-level meeting with economists in which they discussed the Union Budget for 2025-26. The government is worried that the GDP grew by only 5.4 per cent in July-September. So, the focus of the Budget should be on reviving demand in the economy. The farm sector still employs more than 40 per cent of the country’s workforce. More money needs to be put in the hands of farmers and farm labourers to boost consumption and raise GDP growth. The Confederation of Indian Industry has also requested the government to include policies to increase domestic demand in the Union Budget. Let’s examine what can be done to achieve this.

First, in the PM-KISAN scheme, about 10 crore farmers are given Rs 6,000 per annum to meet their immediate working capital requirements. Despite inflation hovering around 6 per cent in the last five years, the amount has not been increased since the scheme’s launch in 2018. The government must increase this amount to at least Rs 12,000 per annum, writes Kisan Shakti Sangh president Pushpendra Singh.

The Supreme Court committee formed under the chairmanship of retired Justice Nawab Singh invited SKM for talks on January 3. The farmer outfit accepted this invitation and talks regarding MSP and other concerning issues will be held during the meeting, confirmed Raminder Singh Patiala, member national coordination committee of SKM while talking to The Indian Express.

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal's medical checkup was done as he remained in his makeshift camp during the Punjab bandh. ADGP ( retd) Jaskaran Singh and other farmer union leaders continued to remain by his side on the 35th day of his hunger strike.

It is speculated that the top leadership from the Punjab government will meet with the farmer leader soon.

11 more trains were cancelled by the divisional railway manager (DRM) Ferozepur office. The total number of affected trains reached 232, out of which cancelled trains are 174 now.

The railway authorities said that the number of trains affected due to the bandh is likely to go up.

Farmers observed a sit-in at Dhareri Jattan Toll Plaza which affected vehicular movement on the Patiala-Chandigarh National Highway.

At Amritsar's Golden Gate, scores of farmers started to assemble near the city's entry point.

Dharnas were staged in Bathinda's Rampura Phul. In Phagwara, farmers staged a dharna near the Sugarmill crossing on NH-44, blocking the roads leading from Phagwara towards Nakodar, Hoshiarpur and Nawanshahr.

They also staged a dharna at Behram toll plaza on Phagwara-Banga road.

Grain markets were shut in several places. (PTI)

While traffic remained disrupted in majority of Ludhiana roads, workers and factory owners faced major disruptions while reaching the factories on Monday. Traders and factory owners said that the bandh is having a negative impact on the economy of Punjab.

"We are not against the farmers but against the mode of protest as all actions of farmers are hitting the industry hard," said Badish Jindal, Convenor of All Industries and Trade Forum.

Farmers protesting at the Kharar main chowk in Mohali district, in response to the bandh call given by farmers' organizations, on Monday. (Express photo)

Sources confirmed that the police force and security has been increased around Khanauri in view of farmers' agitation in the area.

The bandh is expected to continue till 4 pm today, and traffic and railway services are likely to remain affected.

Yet another attempt will be made to persuade Jagjit Singh Dallewal to take medical assistance and shift him to the hospital on the 35th day of his hunger strike. A delegation of the Punjab government is expected to visit Dallewal today, a day before the Supreme Court's December 31 deadline for providing medical care to the farmer leader.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the matter tomorrow.

Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann is likely to meet farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal on the 35th day of his hunger strike.

This comes a day after AAP government's unsuccessful attempt to persuade Dallewal into seeking medical help amid his deteriorating health.

The bandh caused major traffic congestions in the inner roads of Ludhiana, among other districts as many public transport services remain suspended.

The farmers staying put at Khanauri and Shambhu will remain at the borders for the day except for a few leaders who are planning to move out.

District Amritsar:

Kotla Gujran, Pandher Kalan (rail and road), Wadala, Nangal Panwa Toll Plaza, Kathu Nangal, Jahangir Railway Line, Tahli Sahib Adda, Udhoke Kalan, Boparai, Gaggomahal, Gujarpura, Chamiari, Ajnala Chowk, Vishowa, Ram Tirath, Lopoke, Kakkar, Bachhiwind, Chogawan, Bhilowal, Toll Plaza Shiddan, Rajatal, Bohru, Chabba, Basarke, Bandala, Toll Plaza Mananwala, Nirjanpura (Amritsar Highway), Beas Station, Butala, Mehta Chowk, Khujala Adda.

District Moga:

Shah Bukkhar, Kot Ise Khan, Butter, Nihal Singh Wala, Dharamkot Chowk, Jagraon Main Chowk, Ajitwal, Jalalabad, Dagru, Budhhipura Chowk, Badhni.

District Ferozepur:

Makhu, Talwandi, Arifke, Mallanwala, Basti Tankawala, Guru Har Sahai, Mudki, Ferozshah Toll Plaza.

District Tarn Taran:

Usma Toll Plaza, Mannan Toll Plaza, Tarn Taran City Railway Line, Patti Toll Plaza.

District Kapurthala:

Sultanpur Lodhi, Tashpur, Hamira, Kartarpur, Dhilwan Toll Plaza, Sugar Mill Chowk.

District Ropar:

Nurpur Bedi, Balachaur.

District Mohali:

Dubar Toll Plaza, IISER Chowk.

District Jalandhar:

Lohian, Shahkot, Naitpur, Toll Plaza Shahkot, Phillaur, Mehtpur, Dhanowali, Jalandhar Cantt, Bhogpur, Adampur.

District Hoshiarpur:

Tanda City (two locations), Gardiwala, Dasuya, Mukerian, Khudda, Hoshiarpur City, Pur Hiran, Bulhowal, Mahalpur.

District Gurdaspur:

Pathankot Road, Dhariwal, Babri, Purana Shala, Sri Hargobindpur Road, Fatehgarh Churian, Ghoman, Udhanwal, Sri Hargobindpur Lights Chowk.

District Faridkot:

Tehna Bypass.

District Pathankot:

Madhopur.

District Patiala:

Shambhu Railway Station, Rajpura, Dhneri Toll Plaza, Khanauri Road Arno, Samana Baba Banda Bahadur Chowk, Sirhind Road Hardaspura, Nabha Road Kalyan Toll Plaza, Sangrur Road Mehandpur Mandi, Devi Road Jorian, Bhadason Road Saduwala, Faridkot Road Jaitowala.

District Nawanshahr:

Nawanshahr Bus Stand, Behram Toll.

District Ludhiana:

Ladowal Toll, Mullanpur Dakha, Sudhar, Khanna, Samrala Chowk, Jodhan.

District Bathinda:

Rampura Maur Chowk, Jinda Toll Plaza, Salabatpura.

District Mansa:

Teen Kanni Chowk, Bhikhi, ITI Budhlada.

District Sangrur:

Sangrur Nanakiana Kenchiyan, Longowal Sunam Barnala Road, Channo Patiala Sangrur Road, Badrukhan Patiala Moga Road, Kularan Sunam Sangrur Road, Cheema Sunam Bathinda Road, Dirba Patran Sangrur Road, Chhajli Lehra Gaga Canal Bridge Jakhal Sunam Road, Gurne Kalan Jakhal Ludhiana Railway Line.

District Muktsar:

Hakuvala, Kabranwala. Malaut chowk

District Fazilka:

Jalalabad, Fazilka, Fazilka-Ludhiana Railway Line, Abohar-Hanumangarh road

A team deputed by the Punjab government on Sunday made attempts to persuade fasting farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal to take medical aid, but he declined and feared that force may be used to evict him from the protest site.

With 70-year-old Dallewal's indefinite hunger strike entering its 34th day on Sunday, farmer leaders at Khanauri said they have been following the Gandhian way to continue their protest and it is up to the government to decide whether it wants to use force to evict their senior leader.

The developments came amid the Supreme Court's strong criticism of the Punjab government for not shifting Dallewal to a hospital.

A high-level team of Punjab government comprising Deputy Inspector General of Police Mandeep Singh Sidhu and retired Additional DGP Jaskaran Singh met Dallewal and farmer leaders at Khanauri border site on Sunday.

Later, farmer leaders said Dallewal has refused to take any medical aid. (PTI)

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal's hunger strike entered its 35th day on Monday, on the day of Punjab Bandh, as farmer outfits gather across districts to show their support.

Dallewal's health continues to hang in balance as he refused AAP government's efforts for treatments. This comes after the Supreme Court rapped the Aam Aadmi Party for delaying attempts to provide treatment to Dallewal, issuing a deadline for the government to do so.

All schools and colleges, as well as government offices, have been closed across districts amid the bandh called by farmer outfits on Monday. Traffic remains disrupted and train services are hit in multiple districts.

A total of 221 trains have been affected, and out of these, 163 have been cancelled including Shtabadi and Vande Bharat.

Krantikari Kisan Union and BKU Dakaunda (Dhaner), the two farmer outfits that have called for the bandh, said that commuters going to airport, job interviews, marriage functions and other pressing and emergency engagements have been allowed to travel.

Emergency services remain open across all districts while train services have been hit. Traffic disruptions also continue on multiple roads.

Farmers blocked roads at many places across the state on Monday as part of their Punjab bandh call, hamstringing the commuter traffic.

Farmers observed a sit-in at Dhareri Jattan Toll Plaza which affected vehicular movement on the Patiala-Chandigarh National Highway.

At Amritsar's Golden Gate, farmers started to assemble near the city's entry point while in Bathinda's Rampura Phul, they blocked roads.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on Sunday said though there will be a complete bandh, emergency services will be allowed to operate. (PTI)