The three farm laws which had triggered an agitation by farmer unions were officially repealed after a bill was passed in the Parliament.
The Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021 now awaits the assent of President Ram Nath Kovind for the formal withdrawal of the three contentious laws against which farmers have been protesting for the past year at Delhi borders.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has kept his word as the government has brought the bill on the very first day of the Winter session of parliament, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, while introducing the bill in the two Houses.
He sought the support of the members in its passage without a discussion, noting that both the government and the opposition are in favour of repealing the three laws.
Though the bill was passed by voice vote within minutes of its introduction in both Houses, opposition members continued their protest demanding a discussion on farmers’ issues, including legal sanctity to Minimum Support Price of crops and compensation to families of farmers who died during the year-long agitation.
On November 19, in a special address to the nation, Prime Minister Modi announced that all three farm laws will be repealed in the Winter Session and had said these laws were brought for the welfare of farmers, especially small farmers, but his government could not explain the benefits to some farmers despite its efforts.
The agitating farmer unions have, however, refused to withdraw their stir till other demands, including a legal guarantee on MSP, are met.
On Monday, Tomar introduced the Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021, which stated that “Even though only a group of farmers are protesting against these laws, the Government has tried hard to sensitise the farmers on the importance of the Farm Laws and explain the merits through several meetings and other forums.”
Opposition Suspended
In Lok Sabha, the opposition entered the Well of the House demanding a debate on the bill and raised slogans and banners.
On opposition members’ demand, Speaker Om Birla said: “You want debate, I am ready to allow debate when there is order in the House. But if you come to the Well, how can there be a debate.”
Birla said a discussion was not possible when the MPs were standing in the Well holding placards.
However, the opposition members did not pay heed to the Speaker’s appeal and continued their protests.
Congress leader in the House Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said since the bill is listed for consideration and passage, why is there no discussion.
He accused the government of taking the House for a ride.
As the turmoil continued, the Speaker took a voice vote and declared the bill passed.
The three laws are The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act; The Farmers’ (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act; and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act.
The repeal of these three legislations has been one of the key demands of around 40 farmer unions protesting against these reforms for nearly a year now at various Delhi border points
These laws, which are under suspension following a Supreme Court order in January this year, had triggered widespread protests by thousands of farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh.
The protest, which started in November 2020, is still continuing. The unions are asking for a legal guarantee to Minimum Support Price for crops, among other demands.
