Farmers Movement Archive

Mumbai: MVA to table three farm law amendment bills in legislature

Mumbai: The Maha Vikas Aghadi government will table three farm law amendment bills in both Houses of the state legislature on Monday, during the two-day monsoon session. “We have carefully studied the central legislation and after taking into consideration views of all sections of the society and farmers’ organisation, we have drafted the amendments. Once passed in the legislature, the amendments will be submitted to the President for assent,” a senior cabinet member told TOI. NCP spokesperson and skill development minister Nawab Malik said all constituents of the MVA—Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress—have opposed the ‘anti-farmer’ legislations enacted by the Centre last year. “NCP chief Sharad Pawar was never in favour of the laws, the BJP is misleading the farmers,” he said. Malik claimed that a resolution will be passed during the monsoon session to oppose the central farm laws. In September 2020, the NDA government, had enacted three legislations: Farmers Produce, Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, the Essential Commodities Act and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act. After strong protest from all sections of the farming community, the Maharashtra government set up a high-level cabinet sub-committee, headed by deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar to suggest amendments. Later, a committee led by revenue minister Balasaheb Thorat drafted the amendments. The Essential Commodities Act empowers the Centre to control production, supply and distribution of essential commodities, and regulate supply of food stuff under extraordinary circumstances and stock limit of agricultural produce. But the Maharashtra government has taken the view that it is a ‘state subject’ and certain powers must be given to the state government to regulate the production and supply of essentials and protect consumers from black marketeers. In the trade Act, the state has proposed a penalty for errant traders. It recommends that if a farmer is not paid within seven days of the transaction, the trader would face up to three years’ jail or fined Rs 5 lakh or both. The central legislation provides for redressal of grievances before the SDO, while the state governm-ent has proposed it before the competent authority. The central farm law provides that a trader can use a PAN card to purchase agriculture commodities, while the state has proposed that only a person registered with the APMC can trade. For empowerment and protection of farmers, the state government has proposed that any dispute over payment of minimum support price should be resolved within 30 days and the competent authority can’t give its verdict against the farmer if the agreement is not in keeping with the law.

The Times of India

2021-07-04

Mumbai