Farmers Movement Archive

Govt to table in Rajya Sabha bill on essential commodities today

NEW DELHI: Undeterred by the aggressive resistance by opposition parties to the farm sector bills, the government has decided to push for passage of legislation meant to facilitate trade in farm goods by amending the Essential Commodities Act. Late on Monday, BJP issued a three-line whip directing its Rajya Sabha members to be present in the House to facilitate passage of the bill which seeks to do away with the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020. The law will allow the central government to regulate the supply of certain food items only under extraordinary circumstances (such as war and famine). Stock limits may be imposed on agricultural produce only if there is a steep price rise. The bill is the the last piece of the trifecta of legislations planned by the government as part of its Aatmanirbhar Bharat push. The government’s move comes amid confrontation with opposition parties over the farm bills, which were passed on Sunday amid unruly scenes which led to the suspension of eight opposition party MPs. The suspended MPs are on a sit-in in the Parliament complex after Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu announced their suspension for one week. Discussion and passage of the bill is likely to bring clarity on the stand of various parties like NCP, Shiv Sena and BSP, which were ambiguous about their stand on the two farm bills passed on Sunday. The government has decided to push for passage of legislation meant to facilitate trade in farm goods by amending the existing Act.

The Times of India

2020-09-22

India