Supreme Court suspends implementation of Farms Laws

The Supreme Court recently suspended the implementation of three farm laws to end the disagreement between the farmers and Government of India.

What was the judgement pronounced by the Supreme Court?

The Supreme Court has directed to form a committee to resolve the issue. The apex court also indicated that it was highly disappointed with the negotiation process between the farmers union and the union government. The central government and the farmer unions were unable come to a conclusion even after eight rounds of talks.

What are the Farm Laws?

The three farm laws that were recently enacted by the Union Government are as follows:

• Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020. This act creates a national framework for contract farming between farmer and buyer.
• Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020. The act permits inter-state and intra-state trade of farmers produce beyond the premises of Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC). The act abolished market fee. It allows electronic trading. Also, it facilitates lucrative prices for the farmers through alternative trading channels to promote barrier free inter-state and intra-state trade of agricultural produce.
• Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

Why are the farmers protesting against the Farm Laws?

The laws lay the framework to sell the produce directly to the corporates. The farmers do not trust the corporates. According to the farmers, this might end the Minimum Support Price system in the country.

Why are the protests high in Punjab and Haryana?

The agriculture in Punjab and Haryana is high as Green revolution was first introduced in these states. So are the MSP procurement in these states. Around 89% of rice produced in Punjab and 85% produced in Haryana are procured by the Government.

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2021