In a major move, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced the repealing of the three Central farm laws.
In his televised address, PM Modi said, “Today I want to tell everyone that we have decided to repeal all three farm laws.”
Farmers have been protesting the government’s three farm laws since had passed the Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020.
The three farm laws are–
1- The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act provides for setting up a mechanism allowing the farmers to sell their farm produce outside the Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs). Any license-holder trader can buy the produce from the farmers at mutually agreed prices. This trade of farm produces will be free of mandi tax imposed by the state governments.
2- The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act allows farmers to do contract farming and market their produces freely.
3-The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act is an amendment to the existing Essential Commodities Act.
What I am doing is for the welfare of the nation assures PM Modi
Prime Minister said,
“Whatever I did, I did for farmers. What I am doing, is for the country. With your blessings, I never left out anything in my hard work. Today I assure you that I will now work even harder, so that your dreams, nation’s dreams can be realised.”
Urging farmers to return to their homes and “let’s start afresh”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the constitutional measures to repeal the laws will begin in the Winter session of Parliament which is likely to commence from November 29.
Social media erupted with mixed reactions from farmers to social experts.
“We have decided to repeal all three farm laws, will begin the procedure at the Parliament session that begins this month. I urge farmers to return home to their families and let’s start afresh,”
said PM Modi.
Prime Minister said farmers’ welfare and agriculture development is the top priority of the government.
“When the country gave us the opportunity to serve as Pradhan Sevaks in 2014, we gave top priority to agricultural development and farmer welfare. Many people are unaware of the truth that 80 percent are small-scale farmers who have less than 2 hectares of land and are over 10 crores in population. This piece of land is their survival,”
he said.
“To overcome the challenges of the small farmers of the country, we worked all-round on seeds, insurance, markets, and savings. Along with good quality seeds, the government also connected the farmers with facilities like neem coated urea, soil health card, and micro-irrigation. Many steps were also taken for the farmers to get the right price for their produce in return for their hard work. The country strengthened its rural market infrastructure,” Prime Minister stated.
“We worked to provide farmers with seeds at reasonable rates and facilities like micro-irrigation, 22 crore soil health cards. Such factors have contributed to increased agriculture production. We strengthened Fasal Bima Yojana, brought more farmers under it,” PM Modi said.
