Centre to repeal all three farm laws enacted in 2020

After withstanding the farmers’ opposition to three agricultural reform legislations for almost a year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Gurpurab said the laws would be repealed in the upcoming winter session of Parliament and a panel formed to make the MSP regime more effective.

Key Highlights

• The three farm bills are: Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020; Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020; and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2020.

• These bills were passed by Parliament during the monsoon session last year.

• All three agricultural reform laws have sparked almost a year of massive protests by farmers from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

• Modi said the three laws were in farmers’ benefit but the government could not convince a section of farmers despite best efforts. The PM said the goal of three farm laws was to empower farmers, especially the small farmers.

• He appealed to protesting farmers to call off their agitation and return to their homes.

• During his address, Modi highlighted his government’s measures to benefit small farmers. He said the agriculture budget has risen by five times and over Rs 1.25 lakh crore are being spent annually.

SOURCE: Business Standard, The Hindu

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