Farmers Movement Archive

Punjab: Second assembly resolution to withdraw farm laws

CHANDIGARH: Punjab legislative assembly on Friday passed a resolution seeking unconditional withdrawal of the three contentious farm laws by the Centre. Introducing the resolution calling for the repeal, chief minister Amarinder Singh asked 10 questions from the nation to expose the true intent of the Centre behind the farm laws, which he said were unacceptable to farmers and the state under any circumstances. He also appealed to the Centre to withdraw all cases and notices against the agitating farmers to build a congenial environment for an amicable solution. These laws cannot be accepted and allowed to remain on the statute book to the detriment of the farmers, Capt Amarinder announced in the House. Not only are they against the principles ofcooperative federalism but their objectives are apparently preposterous, he said. The resolution, which was later passed unanimously by those present in the House, expressed the angst of the members against the “inconsiderate and unresponsive attitude” of the Centre, which has aggravated the situation and added to unrest and anguish among the farmers. It demanded the unconditional withdrawal of the farm laws in the interest of farmers and the state, and to continue with the existing system of MSP-based government procurement of food grains. While Akali MLAs were suspended by the speaker over unruly behaviour while Amarinder was speaking on the issue, AAP members had staged a walk-out before it was put to vote. “Ostensibly, these laws are aimed to achieve the objective of doubling the income of farmers, but it does not appear to be so,” Amarinder said while tabling the resolution. Farmers consider these a threat to their livelihood and have started agitation against these laws, demanding that these be withdrawn, he added.

The Times of India

2021-03-06

Ludhiana