Farmers Movement Archive

Ex-civil servants express support for new farm laws

In the midst of ongoing farmers’ protests, a group of 32 former civil servants have issued a statement supporting the farm Bills passed by Parliament saying these are game changers and will liberate the farming community from the shackles of exploitative practices. “The Government of India has introduced a definite game-changer in the life of the Indian farmer through the far-sighted legislations. Major impediments which retarded the seamless growth of the farming fraternity of India are given the go by through the passage of these monumental Acts”, they said in the statement. Former IAS officers from different States signed it. ‘Several benefits’ They said the bills mark the watershed in the liberation of farming community from the shackles of exploitative practices that slow-pedalled their progress. There are several farmer benefits, they said. These include continuation of the Minimum Support Price mechanism; allowing farmers to sell their products wherever they want without interstate or intrastate restrictions; freedom from exploitation by middlemen; permission to enter into contracts with any potential, buyer or exporter; and relaxation of restrictions on storage of agricultural produce prescribed in the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. “Despite categorical assurances from the Union Agriculture Minister, vehemently reiterated by the PM, that MSP will remain as ever before, it is objectionable to incite the farmers and create disaffection in their mind by wrongly suggesting that their interests are being bartered in favour of multinational concerns,” they said. In fact, the farmers are suffering because of inadequate local marketing facilities leading to their exploitation by middlemen.

The Hindu

2020-09-30

Bengaluru,KARNATAKA