December 16, 2020 8:53:00 am
At the Singhu border protest, where farmers are protesting against farm laws, in New Delhi on Tuesday. (Express Photo: Abhinav Saha)
Farmers’ unions wasted no time in rejecting the Union government’s proposed amendments to current farm laws. The general secretary of BKU (Dakuanda), Jagmohan Singh Patiala, explains point by point why farmers oppose the Center’s offer.
Center proposal: State governments may impose fees / charges on private mandis
Farmers’ objection: “The creation of private mandis in conjunction with the state-run Agricultural Products Market Committees (APMC) will drive all agribusinesses into private markets. The result will be the end of government markets and systems of intermediaries (commission agents), as well as APMC systems. After that, only large traders and giant companies will operate in the markets and obtain agricultural products at incidental prices. The government has proposed that there will be a uniform policy of taxes, fees and charges for both the government and private markets. But governments would deliberately delay procurement as in the case of rice and make public markets inefficient and redundant. “
Center proposal: Written Government Guarantee for Continuation of Existing MSP System
Farmers’ objection: “We are not only apprehensive, but we are fully convinced that new agricultural laws are being introduced to dismantle the CMPAs. Therefore, we are demanding that the Union government enforce a comprehensive MSP law for the entire country and for all crops. But the government is slow to bring legislation on this issue and is only speaking for a written guarantee, which is not a legal document and has no guarantee. That is why farmers have rejected the government’s written guarantee proposal and insisted on repealing these laws against farmers. “
Center proposal: State governments can register merchants to regulate them
Farmers’ objection: “The current farm laws have no provision to regulate traders. These laws give any PAN card holder permission to purchase grain from markets at desired prices and enjoy hoarding. Rather than making registration provisions to regulate merchants, the Central is trying to pass the buck to state governments to regulate merchants. Therefore, the Center is not prepared to assume any responsibility on this matter. This is also proposed under pressure from farmers’ organizations ”.
Center proposal: Under the contract farming law, farmers will have the option of going to court and their land will be safe, as no loans will be made on farmers’ land and buildings by mortgaging them.
Farmers’ objection: “Agricultural companies are concerned about the appropriation of land from farmers by large corporations under contract farming. The Union government has come up with a proposal to allay farmers’ fears by saying that there will be no sale, lease or transfer of land during the contract period. But the history of contract farming has many examples of defaults by companies making various excuses as substandard products. It has happened in the case of sugarcane where payments were maintained for many years or cases of no purchase with poor quality excuses. It has pushed farmers into a debt trap. In such cases, farmers cannot repay the loans and have no other option but to sell / lose their land. Contract farming has caused the displacement and destruction of farmers around the world. Even in the United States, where huge subsidies are given to the agricultural sector, farmers are forced to commit suicide. 📣 Follow Express explained on Telegram
Center proposal: Power Bill 2020 is only a draft open for discussion
Farmers’ objection: “The government of the Union wants to control the energy sector by removing it from the jurisdiction of the states. He wants to discontinue subsidies to farmers. The WTO has repeatedly instructed the Indian government to suspend subsidies. Therefore, the Modi government wants to put the electricity sector under central control. Farmers are opposed to this measure. The government proposes to exclude subsidies from this bill and says that the energy subsidy will be transferred to farmers in cash, which is practically not possible when there is a majority of small and marginal farmers who cannot pay their energy bills first. and then take advantage of the subsidy. . “
Center proposal: Willing to amend NCR pollution control law
Farmers’ objection: “The Union government believes that the burning of rice stubble is responsible for the pollution in Delhi and therefore has enacted legislation of severe penalties and heavy fines of up to Rs 1 crore for suspected offenders. Now, under pressure from farmers’ organizations, the government proposes amendments. This law is only to harass the poor and small farmers.
The proposed amendments have nothing to offer and farmers’ organizations are determined to continue the united fight until the repeal of these laws ”.
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