Farmers Movement Archive

Discontent brews against farm laws in Himachal

Shimla: Even as the protests against the farm laws are not very pronounced in Himachal Pradesh, there is a simmering discontent against the new laws among the farmers of the hill state. Some private companies are already buying fruits and vegetables directly from the farmers in the state, but this is hardly benefiting them as the prices are decided by the private companies in the absence of any intervention from the government, they say. Agriculture is the main occupation of the people of Himachal Pradesh and contributes, along with its allied sectors, 12.73% to the total gross state domestic product (GSDP). Agriculture and horticulture provide direct employment to about 69% of the total workforce of the state, as per the 2011 census. Fruit, Vegetable and Flower Growers Association’s state president Harish Chauhan said, “In Himachal Pradesh, private companies decide the rate of produce at their level without asking the farmers, as there is no control of the government. Under the new arrangement, companies will enter into contract with the farmers for five years and any dispute arising will be dealt with at the level of sub-divisional magistrate instead of courts, which raises doubts about the protection of farmers’ interests.” Kisan Sabha state president Kuldeep Singh Tanwar said in Himachal Pradesh, production of vegetables and spices accounts for 15 to 17 metric tonnes (MT) annually, while 13 to 15 MT of food crops (cereals and pulses) are produced every year and fruit production is 10-11 MT. He said largely, the MSP regime has not benefited the farmers here due to less quantities of the produce so far, but now the government must ensure MSP for their produce. He said during the 2014 parliamentary election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised MSP on all crops, but to date, he has not fulfilled this promise. “Right now farmers of the state are busy with apple, vegetables and other crops. But, in the coming days, we are going to oppose the farm laws in a big way,” he added. While the farmers of state are planning agitation, Congress has already hit the road opposing the farm acts. While leader of opposition Mukesh Agnihotri took out a tractor rally from Kangar to Haroli in Una district against the farm bills, in Shimla, Congress workers demonstrated at the Ridge and took out a procession up to Raj Bhavan demanding to roll back the decision. The party has also announced to hold protests at block level on October 2. Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur has said the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 is a pro-farmer, which would not only provide better marketing facilities to the farmers to sell their produce, but also go a long way in doubling the farmers’ income.

The Times of India

2020-09-29

Chandigarh