Farmers Movement Archive

Rajasthan: Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot term Centre’s new agriculture bill as anti-farmer

JAIPUR: Former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot on Wednesday termed the three recently introduced agriculture sector-related bills as ‘anti-farmer’. CM Gehlot also criticised the bills and tweeted, “The three farm Bills that will replace ordinances brought by NDA are not in interest of farming community. It will affect livelihood of crores of farmers and others who depend on agriculture sector. The Bills will do away with the competitive bidding of agricultural produce in Mandis resulting in non-remunerative prices for farmers.” Pilot demanded that the central government carry out extensive consultations with political parties, farmers’ organisations, traders and agriculture experts and amend them. The government introduced the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill in Parliament on Monday to replace ordinances promulgated earlier. The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020, which seeks to deregulate food items, including cereals, pulses and onion. The farmers and mandi agents have been protesting against the move for some time. Attacking the Centre over the issue, Pilot accused the government of ‘betraying’ the farmers and said the three ordinances, for which bills have been introduced, were ‘anti-farmer’ and ‘anti-agriculture’. He further said, despite the issue being a state subject, neither the states nor the political parties or agricultural organisations were consulted by the Centre.

The Times of India

2020-09-17

Jaipur