Farmers Movement Archive

Maharashtra govt tables amendments to Centre’s farm laws

MUMBAI: Against the backdrop of farmers’ groups demanding consultations on the legislations, the MVA government tabled its amendments to the Centre’s three farm laws on Tuesday in the state assembly and said these would be open for discussion for the next two months. Several farmers’ groups have already criticized the amendments. Agriculture minister Dada Bhuse said, “Our amendments uphold the minimum support price (MSP), require traders to be properly licensed and protect the payments to farmers.” The Central laws had been criticized for making no provision to uphold the MSP. The state’s amendment on the law governing farming contracts says agreements will not be valid unless the price paid is equal to or higher than MSP. However, it says agreements below MSP can be made for two years with the mutual consent of farmers and the sponsor, and that for crops without an MSP, agreements will be decided by mutual consent. “Many crops do not have an MSP. And companies can keep insisting on two-year agreements to get around the MSP rule,” said Kisan Sabha leader Ajit Navle. On the law governing trade in markets outside APMCs, the Central law only requires traders to have a PAN card to begin conducting business. The amendment requires traders to be licensed by a competent authority to protect farmers from being cheated. However, traders dealing in fruits, vegetables, spices and condiments are excluded from requiring the licenses since these goods have been removed from the APMC Act in Maharashtra. While the Central law requires farmers to approach a sub-divisional magistrate in the case of disputes, the amendment proposes a competent authority for dispute resolution. For non-payment of dues, the trader can face a three-year jail term or Rs 5 lakh fine. The Central law on the Essential Commodities Act does not allow states to regulate supply or impose stock limits on food stuff in case of calamity or price rise. The amendment gives the state that power. The BJP had boycotted the state assembly and was not present when the amendments were tabled.

The Times of India

2021-07-07

Mumbai