Ravinder Jalali
Prime Minister Narinder Modi has repealed three farm laws which were introduced a year ago with much expectations of the farmer`s economic conditions improving and freeing them from the clutches of Aarthis (Middleman), but with the protest from some section of farmers which continued for more than a year and government succumbed to their pressure. Now, Lok Sabha has also opassed the bill in parliament to repeal the three farm laws that triggered widespread protests by farmers who have been sitting on Dharna for more than a year. Now the question is whether the said three laws were really not beneficial to farmers’ and if they were not, then why such laws were initially introduced. Govt should have made homework before introducing the laws. There is a need for revisiting the three farm laws and their benefits. 1) The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill was to seek completely open up the sale of produce outside the APMCs. Farmers were allowed to sell their produce outside of the APMCs, and that creates a possibility for more competition and better pricing for farmers. In other words, the market is thrown completely open for the private players to come in the agriculture sector and deal directly with the farmers. 2) The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill was to create a framework for contract farming. It provides a template at the national level of farming agreementswith regard to agribusiness, processing, and the entire range of services including wholesalers, exporters and large retailers for sale of farming produce at a mutually pre-agreed price. 3) The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill was to take away cereals, pulses, oilseeds, edible oils, onion and potatoes from the list of essential commodities. Therefore, these commodities are now free of the Essential Commodities Act restrictions and stand deregulated. However, the central government has retained the right to regulate them under extraordinary circumstances, such as in case of a war, famine, natural calamity, and impose stock limits if there is a steep rise in prices. Summarily all the three laws were in the interests of farmers and were on the election manifesto of other political parties as well in previous elections. Despite all such benefits, Govt. withdraws these laws.
All political parties had been making promises to the farmers but now these promises had been fulfilled by the present government. The Chief Economist of the IMF had said the farm bills and labour bills are very important steps in the right direction. They have the potential to have more labour market flexibility, providing greater social security to workers and more formalisation of the labour market. Farmers should not have misconceptions about the reforms. But it seems that they have been misled by anti-national elements and have sought the platform of farmers. The fact of the matter is that it were a handful of miscreants in the name of farmers aided and abated by anti-national elements, who pose a great threat to the sovereignty and integrity of the nation. The tragedy is that the Government succumbed to the pressure and bowed before them. It is not the PM or Modi or BJP Government at the centre but the nation that has been made to bow. The entire nation has been put to shame and made weak before a hand full of miscreants. It becomes difficult to call these people protesters as farmers. Sometimes they say it is apolitical agitation, but at the same all the political parties jump into fray. After the UP government gave them ultimatum to vacate protest sites and disconnect their water and light supply, Delhi Govt. announced the continuation of water, electricity and Wi-Fi system. All toll Plazas on Delhi roads have been thrown open and there is no revenue generation for the last one year. Even after withdrawal of laws still toll Plazas are not functional and Govt. is helpless and incapable of restoring to its normal position. This also shows the incompetence and incapability of the government.
Even when last year, protesters disrespected national flag on 26th January and the millions of Indians have been hurt by the shameful act of hooliganism, Modi government remained silent. This government seems to be insensitive to the sentiments of the people of India and sensitive to miscreants and which will cost the government costly. Perhaps it is for the first time that a law, which has been passed in Parliament, has been withdrawn. This is not a question of withdrawal but the sanctity of Parliament, highest constitutional temple of India, which has been put at stake. Many theories are in circulation which justifies their withdrawal like national security or separatist’s movement etc. It does not seem to be just that for these reasons the laws are to be withdrawn. Then there are other threats in NE or Kashmir. Suppose people of J&K will resort to agitation, as it is not new to it, they have been doing it and then what will be the response of Govt. The tragedy is that it has set up an example that a law which has been passed by Parliament can be repealed after being passed in the both the houses of Parliament. They have made mockery of Parliamentary system. Govt will face the embarrassment for all the times to come and cannot face the opposition. Now after the withdrawal of three laws the farmers are now asking for a law on MSP which is also unprecedented demand. Minister of Agriculture made it clear that, while the government was committed to MSP, it was ‘not a part of the law’ earlier and ‘is not’ today. It has been clearly stated that the three acts ‘wouldn’t do away with the MSP, but rather free the farm trade from all illicit market restrictions, open the market beyond ‘mandis’ and further assists the small and marginal farmers to sell their produce at market and competitive prices. There had have been no law regarding MSP till date and now farmers are demanding for the same. These are the repercussions of this withdrawal of farm laws. When article 370 and 35 A pertaining to J&K was repealed, its restoration was considered impossible. It was considered that once the law has been made in Parliament, it cannot be rescinded; such was the conviction and sanctity of Law passed by Parliament. Now everything is possible. Such conviction has been thrown to winds. After the abrogation of article 370 of J&K on August 5, 2019, there were no protests regarding its restoration and now with the repealing the Farm laws, restoration of Article 370 have been raising ugly heads. Reforms are not new to the agrarian sector. In almost 18 out of 36 states and Union territories, agricultural reforms in the form of permitting private markets have already been allowed. More than 20 states have allowed contract farming, and around 19 states have enabled direct purchase of agricultural produce from the primary producer by ‘processor/bulk buyer/bulk retailer/exporter’.
(The author is a Social Activist and Political Analyst).