Farmers Movement Archive

Arjun Ram Meghwal questions Rajasthan’s constitutional right challenging Centre’s agriculture bills

JAIPUR: Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Monday reminded the state that it didn’t have the constitutional competency to overrule the central government’s three agriculture sector legislations while reacting to the calling of the assembly session by the state government to pass a resolution on the farm bills on October 31. In a press conference held at BJP headquarters in Jaipur, Meghwal, while unveiling the vision document of the party for the municipal polls, said agriculture was a state subject but the Constitution clearly stated that the Centre could make laws in case of matters (agriculture) dealing with state. “CM Gehlot can be heard saying it’s a state subject thus having the right to come up with a legislation. But he is not saying that the same Constitution also gives the Centre the power to form laws on the subject,” said Meghwal, who explained that if a state farmer wanted to sell its products in Gujarat, he/she would be governed by a uniform central law for his ease. He clarified that in case of any contradiction between the state and Centre over the law, the Union’s law would prevail in the respective state. The three Acts — Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation), the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act — have become a bone of contention between the central and some states including Rajasthan. Further slamming the government, he said the state simply wanted to follow Punjab by passing a resolution in the assembly. “Gehlot wanted to please the Gandhi family and it was happening at the behest of the same family,” said Meghwal. He called the farm bills as part of the ease of living initiative by the central government. “It is unfortunate that Gehlot wanted to reverse the progressive laws even when they don’t have the required competency,” said Meghwal. The state government has called the assembly session to take constitutional measures to counter agricultural laws.

The Times of India

2020-10-27

Jaipur