New Delhi: After several politicians knocked the doors of the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the three new agriculture sector reform laws, the farmer leader from Madhya Pradesh D P Dhakad has also approached the top court against the Acts.
The petition said that the Farmers' (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020, are "discriminatory and manifestly arbitrary" and will expose marginal farmers to exploitation by big corporates.
The Acts are an attempt to invade into the lawmaking territory of State governments, stated the plea."The Acts were passed amidst a large unprecedented fiasco and despite the largest ever-witnessed by the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha vide the viva voce vote on September 20. This has a wearing and devastating effect on the federalism of the Republic of India, hence, liable to be struck down as unconstitutional, illegal, and void," the plea stated.
"The agriculture sector employs nearly half of the workforce in the country. The state of Madhya Pradesh which at the heart of the country with its large area, enjoys diverse climatic and soil conditions suitable for a broad range of agricultural products. The agriculture sector in Madhya Pradesh forms the backbone of its economy," it added. The Parliament has recently passed the three Bills which have come into effect from September 27 after President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent.