Farmers Movement Archive

Will review Punjab bills, says Centre; Congress seeks quick nod

NEW DELHI: Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Tuesday said the Centre will review the farm bills passed by the Punjab assembly and take suitable action in the interest of the country’s farmers. “There could not be any legislation equivalent to the bills passed by Parliament in terms of ensuring welfare of farmers. However, state assemblies can pass such bills. I have heard that the Punjab assembly has passed three bills on the same subject. Once these bills reach the Centre, the government will review these bills and take suitable action in the interest of farmers,” Tomar told reporters. After a marathon five-hour discussion, the Punjab assembly on Tuesday, unanimously passed bills to negate the Centre’s three farm laws. The legislation was backed by opposition parties, including SAD, AAP and MLAs of Lok Insaaf Party even though BJP did not take part in the proceedings. Tomar said the Modi government has been making concerted efforts to empower the country’s farmers and steps like increasing profit under MSP by 50% were taken in this direction. This came even as Congress urged BJP-led government at the Centre to provide a quick clearance to the bills brought by Punjab, adding they presented a window to the Modi government to make up for its recent actions that have infuriated the farmers across the country. Addressing a press conference, spokesman Abhishek Singhvi and Punjab finance minister Manpreet Badal said, “These bills give the BJP and the PM another chance to rectify their historic blunder. Not giving them a Presidential assent will expose the BJP and the PM further.” Badal said all state MLAs cutting across party lines had urged the Punjab governor to sign the bills into Act without delay.

The Times of India

2020-10-21

India