Explained: The Farm Bills, The reasons for Protests, and The solution to it.

 

If Agriculture goes wrong, nothing else will have a chance to go right in the country.

   --- M. S. Swaminathan

           

Introduction:-

The three farm bills were passed by Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on 17th September and 20th September, respectively and the assent of President was given on 27th September, 2020.

Namely the Three Bills are:-

1. Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce Bill, 2020

2. Farmers Agreement of Price Assurance Bill, 2020

3. Essential Commodities Bill, 2020

Reasons for the protests:-

1. There is no mention of MSP in any of the three bills.

• The government has promised to double the income of farmers by 2022. But without ensuring MSP, it is not possible. 

2. Some provisions lead to systematic destruction of APMCs mandis. 

• Section  6 of Chapter 2 in Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce Bill states “No market fee to be levied on farmer/trader on transaction outside APMC in trade area.”

This implies that, now, private players will enter into the arena and the result would be same as it is of the BSNL after the coming to JIO. 

3. Some provisions threatens the lower level of Judiciary in India. 

• Section 15 of Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce Bill states “No civil court shall have the jurisdiction to entertain any suit or proceedings in respect of any matter under the Act.”

This limits the powers of lower level of judiciary in India and no suit or other legal proceedings shall lie against central or state government. 

According to Bar Council of Delhi, “How can any litigation having civil consequences be given for adjudication to executive? This is dangerous and a blunder.”

4. It increases the corporate control over farming sector in India. 

• It implies that due to amendment in Essential Commodities Act, now, corporates or business have the right to store whatever quantity of stock they want to store, they can dictate their terms to farmers. In simple Economics, if the Supply is less, due to shortage of product, the price would increase. Taking advantage of this corporates will increase supply at the increased price and earn profit from it. 

•Demerits:-

a). Consumers:- They have to pay high prices than the actual price. 

b). Farmers:- They have to sell their produce to whatever price corporates agree for as there would be no MSP. 

5. The government is saying that these bills will make India a “One Nation, One Market” and farmers can sell their     produce in any state within the territory of India.

• But who is going to give the Transportation Cost required for transporting produce to another state. 

• On the other side, CM Of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, said that the farmers of MP will be allowed to sell their produce in MP and if any farmer from other state tries to sell his/her produce in MP, MP Police will arrest them.

   

Questions to the Union Government:-

1. What will the problems farmers face in Open Market? 

2. Are these bills really going to profit farmers? 

3. The unemployment rate is the highest in last 45 years in India at present. So, what has the government planned to do with the employees under APMC, who will get unemployed, once APMC vanishes? 

Suggestions to the Union government:-

1. If the government is really working to double the income of farmers by 2022, they should make MSP a law, at least legal right of farmers. 

It has been found that MSP rates are announced after the sowing season begins. Rather, MSP should be announced well in advance. 

2. The provisions for providing good quality seeds to every farmer whether rich/poor should be added in the reforms. This should be the first priority of government. 

3. The government should take into consideration the UN Declaration 2018 on Rights of Peasants and Farmers. 

Article 2(3) of the UN Declaration states “Before adopting policies that may affect the rights of farmers, state shall consult and cooperate in good faith with peasants."

4. As recommended by National Commission on Farmers, State Farmers Commission should be formed in each state. It’s work should include the proper regulation of APMCs.

                    

More than a few of them know they are fighting for something much larger than the repeal of three laws, for themselves, or for Punjab. And yes, unlike the ‘mainstream media’, the farmers see the importance of these laws in dismantling the citizen’s right to legal recourse and in eroding our rights. And even if they may not see or articulate it that way – theirs is also a defence of the basic structure of the Constitution and of democracy itself.

“Jai Jawaan, Jai Kisaan”

( This, at present times, seems to be an example of oxymoron as both are opposite to each other. Both are fighting against each other. The credit for this crisis goes to our Dear PM Modiji.) 

“Na rahenda mae Punjab aa, 

 Punjab rahenda meri rooh de vich, 

 Jithe amrit varga paani wagda meri khuu de vich. 

 Gaye tupe kheta vich apne hathon khoon bahaya, 

 Oo bhul gya modi to usnu hi jisde haath da fulka tu khaya.”

By: Deeptish Thapa (The author is student of   11th Class from Jammu)