Farmers Movement Archive

Apologise for backing agri bills: Opposition to CM Edappadi K Palaniswami

CHENNAI: DMK president M K Stalin on Sunday asked chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami to tender an apology to Tamil Nadu farmers for extending support to the farm bills in Parliament. Citing the criticism of the bills in Rajya Sabha by senior AIADMK member S R Balasubramaniam, Stalin said the ruling party has been undertaking differing stands in the two houses. “Instead of enacting drama of supporting a bill in Lok Sabha and criticising it in Rajya Sabha, it will be better if the chief minister openly says that he had no choice but to support the Centre to safeguard his government, himself and his cabinet – from the corrupt deeds indulged in the past and for next six months,” ,” Stalin said in his statement. “Palaniswami should seek forgiveness by kneeling down before the farmers of Tamil Nadu,” he said. Several states, including Punjab, and other political parties, not just BJP allies, are opposing the anti-farmer bills by the Centre. While 13 political parties are opposing it, only four parties, including the AIADMK, are supporting it. “Instead of issuing a lengthy statement to say that the bills are farmer friendly, I wish the chief minister had at least gone through those bills to understand the real intent behind them and how they will end up jeopardizing the lives of the farmers,” Stalin said. Earlier on Saturday, chief minister Palaniswami had in a statement said the leader of opposition (Stalin) who is opposing the ‘Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Ordinance, 2020 for political mileage, did not oppose the Contract Farming Act brought by Amma’s government in 2019. The interests of both the farmer and the buyer are protected. In the case of The Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance 2020, “it does not mandate PAN for farmers as stated by leader of opposition. While the accusation that the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Ordinance will facilitate hoarding by corporates is baseless, the paddy procurement under MSP prevailing now will not be affected in any way, Palaniswami said. “As a farmer, I have understood that the Acts will benefit the farmers of Tamil Nadu by ensuring better price and insulating them against price fall, so I have not objected to them. The Punjab scenario is not comparable with Tamil Nadu,” the CM said.

The Times of India

2020-09-21

Chennai