The farmers are once again on the streets. The reason – The three laws related to farming, which have been made only one and a half months ago. In protest against these three laws, farmers from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh are preparing to protest on 26 to 27 November with the appeal of Delhi Chalo. Farmers’ organizations of Punjab claim that more than 1 lakh farmers will participate in this demonstration.
It is mainly comprised of farmers from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Farmers of Madhya Pradesh are also reaching Delhi under the leadership of social worker Medha Patkar. However, in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, these farmers were stopped and Medha Patkar has been arrested. It is being told that this farmer movement has the support of about 500 organizations across the country. The All India Kisan Sangharsh Co-ordination Committee (AIKSCC) says that wherever farmers will be prevented from going to Delhi, farmers will sit there and protest.
What is the reason for the farmers to agitate?
The Modi government had come up with three laws related to farming in the last session of Parliament. These three laws are: Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Simplification) Bill 2020, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Price Assurance-Agreement on Agricultural Services Bill 2020 and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2020. These three laws have been passed by both the houses of Parliament and have become law. Bharatiya Kisan Union Haryana President Gurnam Singh says that these laws have been made for digging the graves of farming. Farmers are agitating for the withdrawal of these three laws.
What does the government say?
According to what has been revealed so far, the government will not withdraw all the three laws. The government claims that passing these laws is a historic decision and will change the lives of farmers. Prime Minister Modi has described these laws as giving a new freedom to the farmers after independence. Modi says that the benefit of minimum support price (MSP) to farmers is wrong. BJP President JP Nadda also described these laws as important, revolutionary and beneficial for the farmers.
However, the Shiromani Akali Dal, which was an ally in his own government, has raised concerns about these laws. Harsimrat Kaur, MP and cabinet minister from Akali Dal, resigned as minister in protest against these laws. The Akali Dal later split from the NDA after 22 years.
Barricades put up, Water Cannons used, Illegal Arrests made on eve of Constitution Day as farmers were coming to Delhi to ask for their Constitutional Rights.
What are those three laws?
- The Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Simplification) Bill 2020
This law provides for creating an ecosystem where farmers and traders will have the freedom to sell crops outside the market. The law seeks to promote trade within the state and between two states. Also, there is talk of reducing the cost of marketing and transportation.
- The Farmers (Empowerment-Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Agricultural Services Bill 2020
In this law, the National Framework for Agriculture Agreements has been provided. It connects farmers with the sale of agricultural products, farm services, agribusiness firms, processors, wholesalers and retailers and exporters. Along with this, the law provides for supplying quality seeds to farmers, monitoring crop health, facilitating loans, and facilitating crop insurance.
- The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2020
This law provides for the removal of cereals, pulses, oilseeds, edible oils, onions and potatoes from the list of essential commodities. According to the government, this will enable the farmers to get the right price for their crop, as competition in the market will increase.
Why the protests?
- The Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Simplification) Bill 2020
Farmers fear: MSP system will end. If farmers sell produce outside the mandis, the mandis will end. What will happen to a government portal like e-Naam?
Government says: The MSP will continue as before. Mandis will not end, but there will continue to be business as before. With the new system, farmers will have the option to sell crops in the market as well as elsewhere. E-name trading will continue in the mandis.
- The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Agricultural Services Bill 2020
Farmers fear: By contract or agreement, the farmers will be weakened. They will not be able to fix the price. How will small farmers do contract farming? Large companies will benefit in the event of a dispute.
Government’s defense: whether to contract or not the farmer will have complete freedom in it. They will be able to sell the crop by fixing the price at their own will. 10,000 Farmer Producer Groups (FPOs) are being formed in the country. These FPOs will work by adding small farmers to get the crop right in the market. There will be no need to go to court in case of dispute. Disputes will be settled at the local level itself.
- The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2020
Farmers fear: big companies will store essential commodities This can increase black marketing.
Government says: The scare of crop failure of the farmer will be removed. He will be able to grow crops like potato and onion carelessly. If prices rise above a limit, the government will have the powers to control them. Inspector Raj will end and corruption too.
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