Punjab Assembly adopts resolution against Farm laws

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Punjab Assembly adopted a resolution against the Centre’s three contentious farm laws on November 11, 2021.

About:

• This resolution was passed after claiming that firm law had unlawfully ventured into the state government’s domain.
• This is the second resolution adopted by Vidhan Sabha against three agriculture laws.
• The first resolution was passed in October 2020.
• The new resolution was moved by state Agriculture Minister Randeep Singh Nabha.

About the resolution

• As per the resolution, the Vidhan Sabha of Punjab strongly deprecates and condemns the efforts of the Union government. It was aimed at the systematic dismantling of regulated mandis and replacing mandis with trader-friendly unregulated mandis.
• The resolution showed concern about unfair concessions which was extended to the traders and corporations to allow purchases from unregulated markets without paying market fees and rural development fees etc.
• The resolution will lead to shifting of the trade from APMC mandis to private mandis apart from causing fiscal loss to state government.

What are those three firm laws?

1. The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020

This act was launched with the aim of opening agricultural sales and marketing outside notified Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis for farmers. The act removes barriers to inter-State trade as well as provides a framework for electronic trading of agricultural produce. It also expands the scope of trade areas of farmers’ produce from select areas. It seeks to break the monopoly of government-regulated mandis and allows farmers to sell directly to private buyers.

2. Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020

This act creates a national framework for contract farming. It provides a legal framework for farmers to enter into written contracts with companies and produce for them.

3. Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020

The act removes pulses, cereals, edible oils, oilseeds, onions and potatoes from the list of essential commodities. It seeks to deregulate the production, movement, storage, and distribution of these food commodities.