SKM slams false claims in objects and reasons for repeal

Government, opposition unanimous on repeal, so no need for discussion: Agriculture Minister

Farm unions pushed back on the reasons and objects of the farm laws repeal bill on Monday, refuting the Government’s claims on farmers’ choices, electronic trading, prior consultations and the scope of protests. Union leaders also asked why the repeal bill was pushed through in Parliament of their other demands, including for crops.

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, however, said that there was no need for a , given that both the ruling and Opposition parties were unanimous in their support for the repeal. He also blamed Opposition parties for preventing a discussion in the Lok Sabha by disrupting proceedings, noting that the Speaker Om Birla repeatedly told Opposition MPs that a discussion could be held if they returned to their seats. The repeal was evidence that the Prime Minister kept his word to farmers, added Mr. Tomar.

“The Statement of Objects and Reasons accompanying the repeal Bill cannot be farther from the truth,” said the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, a platform of farm unions, noting that most State APMC Acts already give farmers the freedom to sell their produce to any buyer at any place of their choice. “Such a freedom was not given for the first time by the Modi Government as is being claimed. Further, any so-called freedom without protection from exploitation is meaningless.”