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'Resistance of farm unions shows their political agenda'

Speaking on the issue of the committee formed by the Supreme Court to convince the agitating farmers, ETV Bharat spoke to a political expert and senior advocate Desh Ratan Nigam. He said that the farmers' unions must have some trust in the committee as they belong to different walks of life.

Farmer protesting at Delhi border
Farmer protesting at Delhi border
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Published : Jan 13, 2021, 10:52 PM IST

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed the implementation of the three controversial farm laws and formed a four-member committee to take over negotiations with the farmers on the impact of these laws.

The Chief Justice of India, in its order, named four agriculturists to the panel: Ashok Gulati, agricultural economist; Bhupinder Singh Mann, President, Bhartiya Kisan Union-Mann; Anil Ghanwat, President, Shetkari Sangathan; and Pramod Kumar Joshi, International Food Policy Research Institute.

But there seems to be a roadblock. It has been widely reported that members of the committee favour the farm laws. Against this backdrop, the farmers' unions have said that this committee is not a solution.

Speaking over the issue, ETV Bharat spoke to a political expert and senior advocate Desh Ratan Nigam. He welcomed the Apex Court's decision and said that the farmers' unions must have some trust the four members committee.

"We have Ashok Gulati, agricultural economist; Bhupinder Singh Mann, President, Bhartiya Kisan Union-Mann; Anil Ghanwat, President, Shetkari Sangathan; and Pramod Kumar Joshi, International Food Policy Research Institute in the four members committee. It may be possible that they have their personal opinion over the law but when it comes to the Supreme Court committee, they have to listen to the agitating farmers also", said Nigam.

He further added that there are 621 farmer unions in the country in which only 39 farm unions are against the farm laws.

"621 out of 39 farm unions do not resemble the whole country as the farm law would affect the farmers of all states. Then it is quite clear that the protest has taken a political turn", added Nigam.

Farmers have been protesting at different borders of the national capital since November 26 against the three newly enacted farm laws - Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

Key points from yesterday's SC order

1. The Minimum Support Price (MSP) system in existence before the enactment of the farm laws will be maintained until further orders from the top court.

2. Farmers' land holdings shall be protected, i.e., no farmer shall be dispossessed or deprived of his title as a result of any action taken under the farm laws.

3. Committee constituted by the top court, comprising Bhupinder Singh Mann, Pramod Kumar Joshi, Ashok Gulati, Anil Ghanwant, to listen to the grievances of farmers relating to the farm laws and the views of the government.

4. The committee shall be provided with a place as well as secretarial assistance at Delhi by the government. All expenses for the committee to hold sittings at Delhi or anywhere else shall be borne by the Central government.

Also Read: 'Farmers will get justice', says Anil Ghanwat, member of SC panel on farm laws

5. The representatives of all the farmers' bodies, whether they are holding a protest or not, and whether they support or oppose the laws shall participate in the deliberations of the committee and put forth their view points.

6. The Committee shall, upon hearing the Government as well as the representatives of the farmers' bodies, and other stakeholders, submit a report containing its recommendations. This shall be done within two months from the date of its first sitting. The first sitting shall be held within ten days from today (Tuesday).

7. The stay on implementation of farm laws will encourage the farmers' bodies to convince their members to get back to their livelihood, both in order to protect their own lives and health and in order to protect the lives and properties of others.

Also Read: Punjab Congress MPs burn copies of farm laws

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