Previously, opposition parties, led by Congress, had met President and urged him to return the invoices for reconsideration. The parties claim that the bills are “anti-farmers” and will pave the way for the end of Support minimum price (MSP).
The government has denied the opposition’s accusation, saying that the MSP will continue to exist as before. He has branded the farm bills as long-pending farm reforms that will help increase farmers’ incomes.
According to a notice from the gazette, the president gave his approval to three bills: the 2020 Trade and Trade in Agricultural Products (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, the Farmers’ Agricultural Prices and Services Guarantee Agreement (Empowerment and Protection), 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2020.
The Draft Law on Trade in Agricultural Products and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) of 2020 aims to allow the sale of agricultural products outside the mandis regulated by the Agricultural Products Marketing Committees (APMC) constituted by different state legislations.
The Agricultural Price Guarantee and Services Agreement for Farmers (Empowerment and Protection), 2020, provides for contract farming.
The 2020 Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill deregulates the production, supply, and distribution of foods such as edible grains, legumes, potatoes, onions, and oilseeds.
Meanwhile, protests against agricultural laws have been witnessed in various parts of the country, including states such as Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Odisha.
BJP’s oldest ally, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), has resigned from the NDA over the issue.
(With PTI inputs)
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