The Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021, which attempted to repeal three laws passed last year to relax restrictions governing the sale, pricing, and storage of farm products, was introduced in Lok Sabha and passed in minutes; it was then introduced in Rajya Sabha and approved by voice vote. The entire workout took two hours to complete.
The bill now requires President Ram Nath Kovind’s signature to formally remove the three problematic legislation farmers have been protesting for the past year.
Opposition parties in both Houses, led by Congress, wanted a debate on the repeal bill but could not get it started.
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar stated in Rajya Sabha that “there is no need for a discussion” because the opposition parties had sought repeal of the legislation. The government was now doing so.
Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Empowerment and Protection) Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 sparked a significant movement by farmer organisations, particularly in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana.
‘Despite the Supreme Court’s delay of the law’s execution, farmer bodies have been squatting on roads heading to the national capital from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana for more than a year.
Upon November 19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the repeal of the legislation, the most significant policy reversal since he brought the BJP to office in 2014.
The restrictions were being revoked shortly before assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, where they believed that farmer protests might harm the BJP’s chances.
Meanwhile, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), the joint organisation of farmer unions driving the present demonstrations, has refused to call an end to the agitation and has requested the government to begin discussions on six demands, including a legal guarantee for crop purchase at MSP, as soon as possible.
Other requests included:
- The discharge of the Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra connected with the Lakhimpur Kheri tragedy.
- The dropping of proceedings against farmers.
- The construction of a memorial for those who died during the protest.
Just as Tomar tabled the repeal bill in the Lok Sabha at midday, opposition party MPs stormed the Well of the House, seeking a discussion. They carried flags and shouted slogans.
Speaker Om Birla said he was willing to debate the measure if the protesting MPs returned to their seats and there was order in the House.
“You want a discussion, and I am willing to allow it if the House is in order. But how can there be a discussion if you come to the Well? “He remarked as he motioned for the members to take their seats.
Birla stated that no discussion could take place while the MPs were standing in the Well waving banners.
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the Congress leader in the House, questioned why there had been no discussion since the bill was scheduled for review and passage.
He accuses the administration of duping the House.
As opposition MPs continued to yell slogans, the Speaker subjected the bill to a voice vote and proclaimed it carried after the Treasury benches agreed.
The TRS, DMK, and TMC were present in the Well for Bill’s passing. TRS MPs held signs calling for a unified procurement policy and a National Food Grain Procurement Policy.
While standing in their respective seats, MPs from the Congress, NCP, BSP, and IUML protested.
The BJP, which has an absolute majority in the House, has issued a three-line whip to party MPs requiring them to be present in the House on Monday to complete urgent legislative business.
Soon after, Birla adjourned the House to a post-lunch session.
The copy of the Bill said that it offered new avenues for trading farmers’ goods without taking away the existing mechanisms accessible to farmers and that the Supreme Court of India had halted the laws.
“Farmers worked hard throughout the COVID period to enhance production and meet the demands of the nation. As we celebrate the 75th centenary of India’s independence, dubbed ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav,’ the necessity of the hour is to bring everyone together on a road of equitable progress and development “, Bill said
In Rajya Sabha, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu rejected notifications submitted by the Congress and other opposition MPs under rule 267 requesting that the business be adjourned to examine farmer concerns and halted proceedings momentarily as opposition members persisted in their demand. However, this was not before the House was told of the Lok Sabha’s passage of the repeal bill and a copy deposited on the House table.
The prime minister showed a big heart by announcing the abolition of the laws on Guru Nanak Jayanti.
Farmers’ Goods Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act aims to give farmers the ability to sell their produce outside of mandis.
Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Price Assurance and Farm Services Act gives cultivators the right to enter into a contract with agri-business enterprises, processors, wholesalers, exporters, or major retailers to sell future farmed output at a pre-agreed price.
The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act was enacted to remove commodities such as grains, pulses, oilseeds, onions, and potatoes off the list of essential items and eliminate stock holding limitations on such products, save in ‘exceptional situations.’
