DW BUREAU / chandigarh Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Friday termed the Centre's decision to repeal all three black farm laws as much delayed but a welcome step. CM Channi, however said had Prime Minister Narendra Modi taken this decision much earlier several precious lives would have been saved. Blaming the Centre for thrusting these black farm laws arbitrarily on the farmers without taking them into confidence, CM Channi categorically said, "The BJP led Central government should admit on record to have made an Himalayan blunder in bringing these bills for which it hardly bothered to even relent for the past one and half years." Notably, the farmers' agitation on the Delhi borders and across the state has so far claimed nearly 700 lives during unparalleled struggle to safeguard their rights to secure livelihood and future of their generations. CM Channi said that incidents like Lakhimpur Kheri which happened during the struggle has put a slur on the fair name of democracy and the people will never forgive BJP led Central government for its misdeeds. Pointing out further, CM Channi said that now when the Prime Minister has announced to withdraw these draconian farm laws he should compensate the farmers adequately for the humungous losses of life and property suffered by them. Likewise, he also sought compensation for the state on account of financial and property losses during the Kisan Morcha. He, however, said that state government has already provided government jobs to the victim families of farmers besides financial assistance of Rs.5 lakh to each family of the deceased farmer, who sacrificed lives in the farm agitation. CM Channi also asked the Prime Minister to immediately announce a financial package to relieve farmers and labourers reeling under the huge burden of debt. He also asked the Centre to make its stand crystal clear on Minimum Support Price and public procurement of farmers' crops. CM Channi, while describing it as victory of people, said that the farmers have faced several hardships including the vagaries of weather to brave the mighty Union government. He said that though the Union government left no stone unturned to harass, humiliate and demotivate the farmers but following the footsteps of the great Gurus who have taught to us to fight against injustice, oppression and tyranny, the farmers continued their struggle relentlessly. CM Channi said that this decision is outcome of the long and zealous struggle of the farmers and will be scripted in golden words in annals of history. CM Channi said that this win after a long struggle of more than an year marks the downfall of haughty Modi government and the countdown has now begun when people will oust this tyrannical government and bring back Congress party to power. Quipping on Akali and BJP leadership who had been singing paeans for eulogising PM and his government for these rules, he asked them that with which face they will come to people now. CM Channi said that the nexus Of Akali-BJP and even Captain Amarinder Singh made all out efforts to weaken the farm movement but in the end it's victory of good over evil. CM Channi said that from day one his government has been opposing these laws tooth and nail. CM Channi said that Congress party has also vehemently protested against these laws besides extending all support to agitating farmers. CM Channi also mentioned that his government has outrightly rejected these black farm laws besides repealing the contentious Contract Farming Act 2013 enacted by the then Parkash Singh Badal led SAD-BJP alliance government in the recently concluded special session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha. CM Channi further said that he had himself prevailed upon the PM to take these laws back during his meeting with him at his office. (editor@dailyworld.in)