Chandigarh, October 20:
Punjab on Tuesday became the first state in the country to formally reject the Centre’s black Farm Laws, with the state Assembly unanimously passing a resolution rejecting the legislations and the proposed Electricity Amendment Bill, and seeking their immediate annulment along with a new Ordinance to protect MSP and ensure continuance of procurement by GoI.
The House also passed by voice vote the three farm amendment Bills, along with the CPC amendment for exempting farmers from attachment of land up to 2.5 acres, moved earlier by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. All MLA unanimously voted in favour of the Resolution and the Bills, except the two BJP members who were absent from the House during the special session of the Vidhan Sabha.
The Chief Minister informed the House that he had sought time from the President of India to raise Punjab’s concerns on the Farm Laws and seek his intervention to protect the farmers. He later led all MLAs to the Punjab Raj Bhawan to submit to Governor VPS Badnore the resolution passed by the House.
Thanking all members for passing supporting the Resolution, the Chief Minister said this will send a positive message to the farmers. He assured all support to the farmers and vowed not to let Punjab’s peaceful atmosphere be vitiated at any cost.
Captain Amarinder once again reiterated his appeal to Kisan Unions to allow movement of trains for the transportation of coal, urea and foodgrains, pointing out that the state government had already lost Rs 40,000 crores in revenue due to the Rail Roko. Industry and business was as much the responsibility of the state government as was agriculture, he said, adding that the farmers’ fight was against Delhi, not against Punjab. He expressed the hope that the farmer organisations will heed his appeal.
Earlier, responding to a suggestion from Leader of Opposition, Harpal Singh Cheema, on MSP guarantee by state government, the Chief Minister asked the AAP leader if he had any idea about the financial implications of such a move. In any case, where would the state sell the produce even if it purchased the same, he added, terming the suggestion as impractical.
Replying to questions raised by SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia on the future of the state amendment Bills, Captain Amarinder said he had already made it clear that the Bills would have to go to the Governor who may or may not approve them. Thereafter, they would also need to go to the President of India, who may also approve or reject them. However, he asserted that, as in the case of the Punjab Termination of Water Agreements Act, the state government will continue to fight the central laws legally, for which a team of lawyers and experts was on board.
The Farmers’ (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services (Special Provisions and Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2020; The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) (Special Provisions and Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2020; and The Essential Commodities (Special Provisions and Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2020, have been passed by the Punjab Assembly to protect the state’s farmers and agriculture by restoring various safeguards aimed at preventing damage apprehended by the farming community as a result of the central legislations. Besides ensuring MSP, with punishment in case of sale/purchase in violation of the same, the legislations provide for prevention of hoarding and black-marketing of foodgrains. The Code of Civil Procedure (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2020 provides relief to farmers against attachment of land up to 2.5 acres, in line with the Congress government’s election promise.
The House was adjourned after passage of these Bills till 11 a.m. tomorrow, when it will meet for other legislative business.