New Delhi: Farmers across Punjab and Haryana have opposed the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Ordinance, and an amendment in the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, which have been tabled as bills for discussion during the first Monsoon Session of the Parliament.
The ordinances seek to include private players in agriculture and promote the hurdle-free sale of produce, but the farmers argue that they will bring corporate dominance in the market.
With the matter stirring politics in Punjab, Aam Aadmi Party's Lok Sabha MP from Sangrur Bhagwant Mann criticised Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal for favouring these ordinances. Mann attacked Shiromani Akali Dal which is also an alliance partner with BJP.
He said, "Yesterday, both Sukhbir Singh Badal and Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal were absent from Lok Sabha. They do not have guts to stand for farmers who voted for them. Shiromani Akali Dal has betrayed the farmers of Punjab for a post in the cabinet. They should oppose the bill in the upper and lower house though we do not have any expectations."
"We, the supporters of AAP will protest outside Badal's residence in Punjab. Farmers will put 'For Sale' banners on their tractors. Ordinances are brought in an emergency. GDP is in negative. Farming is the only sector performing at 3.2 per cent. Akali Dal should support farmers and vote against these ordinances, he added.
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On Monday, Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Raosaheb Patil Danve in Parliament stated that the high-powered committee on agriculture had decided on the Ordinances after due consideration by all member states and Captain Amarinder Singh was part of it.
AAP has criticised Congress after this statement was made. Playing the audio clip of Danve, Bhagwant Mann said that Congress in Punjab pretends to oppose ordinances but secretly gave nod to anti-farmer agenda of the Union government.
"Danve said that Punjab CM also participated in the meeting before the final decision was taken. Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal attended these meetings. Both Shiromani Akali Dal and Congress are hand in glove. They should clear their stand on these ordinances," said Mann.
Mann also stated that motives of these ordinances are to weaken states, farmers and strengthen private players. "Health, Education and Agriculture are state matters and this government is interfering in it which is unconstitutional," he added.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to not go ahead with the ordinances in the Parliament. He wrote a letter to PM Modi on Monday. Singh’s office said in a statement that the Centre did not discuss the ordinances with him and denied reports that Punjab supported them. On Wednesday, Singh is expected to hold a meeting with the governor to discuss the ordinances.
AAP Punjab in-charge and Delhi MLA Jarnail Singh also opposed Shiromani Akali Dal and Congress's stand on this bill.
Read:| Farmers protest against Centre's agriculture ordinances in Punjab
