Farmers Movement Archive

Oppn doubts impartiality of panel formed on farm laws

PATNA: The opposition parties in Bihar gave a mixed response to the Supreme Court’s decision to suspend the implementation of the three farm laws and also raised doubts over the neutrality of the four-member expert committee to break the deadlock over the contentious legislations. RJD national vice-president Shivanand Tiwari said, “We welcome the reservations expressed by the apex court against the new farm laws, but it should have rather repealed the Acts. The laws were enacted in utmost haste through ordinance without any debate in Parliament. It is to support the interest of multinational corporations, which want to control the agriculture sector of the country.” Speaking on the committee formed by the SC, Tiwari told TOI: “It is known to most people that except Bhupinder Singh Mann, the three other members are supportive of the new laws. They have written columns in support of the new legislations. There is a clear element of doubt with regard to the functioning and outcome of this committee.” Apart from Mann, the three other committee members are agriculture economist Ashok Gulati, Pramod Kumar Joshi (former director, National Academy of Agricultural Research Management) and Anil Dhanawat. Bihar Congress president Madan Mohan Jha also questioned the ‘impartiality’ of the committee. “We welcome the Supreme Court decision as it has given time to the government to take appropriate steps to address the farmers’ woes with regard to the new laws. However, our own opinion is that these contentious legislations should be repealed,” Jha told TOI. BJP’s Rajya Sabha member Sushil Kumar Modi (SuMo), on the other hand, said the reluctance of farmers’ associations to end their agitation despite the SC order is unfortunate. “The formation of a committee to end the impasse is a welcome step. However, it is unfortunate that the farmers have still not called off their strike and are still adamant on holding a tractor rally in Delhi on Republic Day,” SuMo tweeted. JD(U)’s secretary general K C Tyagi suggested that the committee could have included one or two experts, who have been openly critical of the farm laws, so as to maintain balance. “JD(U) had supported the three farm bills in Parliament. But we are of the view that there should be a middle path in the light of the farmers’ concerns. Based on talks with the agitating farmers, the government was ready to make certain amendments, but it could not resolve the matter. Now, it is imperative for the government to take all necessary steps to break the deadlock,” Tyagi said.

The Times of India

2021-01-13

Patna