New Delhi: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Jha has approached the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the newly enacted 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.
Jha contends that the Acts "encourages corporatization of India Agriculture which is the lifeline of the poor farmers and key to the survival of the nation's agriculture sector".
He alleges that the Act compromises the interest of the farmers by leaving them at the "mercy" of the sponsors, with disproportionate bargaining powers.
Contending further he says that the acts do not stipulate that price should not be below the minimum selling price (MSP) and doesn't even guarantee the price given by Agriculture Produce Market (APMC).
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Regarding the dispute resolution mechanism, Jha argues that the mechanism in the act is favoured towards sponsors and is not adequate.
"The Impugned legislations corporatizes agriculture and ushers in an unregulated and exploitative regime. A farmer would not have the knowledge to negotiate the best terms with a private company. This leads to unequal bargaining position in negotiating the farm agreement with corporates would lead to corporates monopolizing the agriculture sector," read the plea.
Kerela Congress MP TN Prathapan has also filed a plea challenging the agriculture laws.
