Farmers Movement Archive

Covid hit efforts to create build-up for farm ordinances: MPs

Chandigarh: A three-member committee of BJP MPs, constituted to have a dialogue with various farmer groups, said on Sunday that the Covid-19 outbreak emerged as a major hurdle for the state government, which could not create the necessary build-up for the three agriculture ordinances. The three-member committee, comprising Hisar MP Brijendera Singh, Bhiwani MP Dharamvir Singh and Kurukshetra MP Nayab Singh Saini, held several rounds of meetings during the day with farmer groups in Panchkula and Karnal. “These ordinances will have a long-lasting impact in the favour of farmers. The state government and its leaders could not create the desired build-up to make farmers understand the benefits of these ordinances. Covid-19 has really impacted this, as the leaders and representatives could not move freely in June,’’ said Brijendera. However, during their meeting with the representatives, they have taken their queries and tried to give their answers, he said, adding, “We have also taken all kinds of feedback from farmer leaders and farmer groups.” Consequent to the violent agitation by farmers on Thursday, which forced the police to use mild force, Haryana BJP president Om Parkash Dhankar constituted the three-member committee to have dialogue with farmers. Farmers are opposing the agriculture sector-related ordinances and the one related to pesticides management. The ordinances will be presented in the monsoon session of Lok Sabha commencing from Monday. Meanwhile, farmer leaders in Panchkula and Karnal have expressed their apprehensions about the existence of mandi system as well as MSP after the implementation of new laws. They also opposed the ordinances over the issue of contract farming, claiming that this system would make farmers bonded labourers to corporate houses. BOX Hooda questions MPs’ panel Haryana leader of opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Sunday questioned the role and working of the MPs’ committee constituted by Haryana BJP president Om Parkash Dhankar. “Is it just to mislead the farmers and the farmer leaders in the name of dialogue? Does this committee have any constitutional sanction? If yes, why haven’t they asked for cancellation of criminal cases registered against farmers? Secondly, when the agriculture minister has already refused to amend or roll back the decision, what is the point in setting up this committee?” he said.

The Times of India

2020-09-14

Chandigarh