Farmers Movement Archive

Govt intends to abolish Agricultural Produce Market Committees mandis: United Kisan Morcha

ALMORA: Officials of United Kisan Morcha, a farmers’ body, on Saturday said that the central government intends to abolish the Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs), marketing boards established by state governments, in order to make way for private mandis to benefit corporate houses. In a press conference held in Almora on Saturday, Jagtar Singh Bajwa, spokesperson of the United Kisan Morcha, said, “The farmers of the country have been demonstrating against the three draconian farm laws for months now but the government is least bothered and is only trying to project our movement in a negative light. We are fighting for the cause of the farmers and they are working for the interests of corporate houses.” The farmers’ leader added, “The new laws allow big businesses to stock essential commodities. As a consequence, the private players will buy cheap from farmers and sell the produce at high prices. Thus, saving APMCs is crucial even from the consumers’ point of view. However, the government intends to abolish state-run mandis and bring in private ones.” He further said that the government should also assure the farmers of the MSP (minimum support price) provision in writing. The farmers’ body also released a leaflet on the day highlighting the “vices” of the three farm laws.

The Times of India

2021-04-04

Dehradun