Punjab Assembly adopts resolution against Farm laws

Punjab Assembly adopted a resolution against Centre’s three contentious farm laws on November 11, 2021.

Key Points

• This resolution was passed after claiming that firm laws had unlawfully ventured into state government’s domain.
• This is the second resolution adopted by Vidhan Sabha against three agriculture laws.
• First resolution was passed in October 2020.
• New resolution was moved by state Agriculture Minister Randeep Singh Nabha.

About the resolution

• As per resolution, Vidhan Sabha of Punjab strongly deprecates and condemns the efforts of Union government. It was aimed at systematic dismantling of regulated mandis and replacing mandis with trader-friendly unregulated mandis.
• Resolution showed concerned about unfair concessions which was extended to the traders and corporations to allow purchases from unregulated markets without paying market fee and rural development fee etc.
• Resolution will lead to shifting of trade from APMC mandis to private mandis apart from causing fiscal loss to state government.

What are those three firm laws?

1.   The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020

This act was launched with the aim of opening agricultural sale and marketing outside notified Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis for farmers. The act removes barriers to inter-State trade as well as provides a framework for electronic trading of agricultural produce. It also expands the scope of trade areas of farmers’ produce from select areas. It seeks to break monopoly of government-regulated mandis and allows farmers to sell directly to private buyers.

2.   Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020

This act creates a national framework for contract farming. It provides a legal framework for farmers to enter into written contracts with companies and produce for them.

3.   Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020

The act removes pulses, cereals, edible oils, oilseeds, onions and potatoes from the list of essential commodities. It seeks to deregulate the production, movement, storage, and distribution of these food commodities.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2021