Agricultural Reform Bills: Rajya Sabha Passes 2 Farm Bills Amid Protests by Opposition Leaders And Farmers
The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, and Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 were passed by the Rajya Sabha on Sunday. The agriculture Reform Bills were passed amid protest by opposition MPs.
New Delhi, September 20: The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 , and Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 were passed in the Rajya Sabha by voice vote on Sunday. The two of the three agriculture reform bills were passed amid protest by opposition MPs. Farm Bills: What Are The 3 Legislations Brought by Modi Government? Why Are Farmers Protesting? All You Need to Know.
Opposition members demanded that the bills should be sent to select committee. During the chaotic discussion in the Upper House, Derek entered the well and showed the House rule book to Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh. He tore papers and the mic off the house Chair. Due to the chaos, the House was adjourned for 10 minutes. After a 10-minute adjournment, the Rajya Sabha proceedings resumed and voice vote took place.
The Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 9 am tomorrow. These bills will now become law after President Ram Nath Kovind's assent. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President JP Nadda called opposition parties "anti-farmers". Nadda added, "The government under the leadership of Narendra Modi ji has liberated the farmers from injustice they were facing for the last 70 years." Agriculture Reform Bills Passed in Lok Sabha: PM Narendra Modi Calls Move 'Historic', Assures Farmers Liberation from 'Middlemen'.
Tweet by ANI:
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also hailed the passage of the farm bills, Singh tweeted, "With the passing of two landmark agriculture Bills in Rajya Sabha today, India has cemented the strong foundation for ‘Atmanirbhar Agriculture’. This is the result of endless dedication and determination of the Govt under the leadership of PM Shri @narendramodi."
Tweet by Rajnath Singh:
The bills were passed by the Lok Sabha on September 17. The bills have stirred protests because farmers fear they will no longer get the Minimum Support Price. Opposition parties term these bills as "anti-farmer". They alleged that the agriculture sector would be destroyed.
The Farmers' and Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 seeks to give freedom to farmers and traders to sale and purchase of their choice. It also promotes the inter-state and intra-state sale of farmers' produce outside the local markets. Electronic trading of farmers' produce is also permitted under this bill. Meanwhile, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 seeks to frame national guidelines for trade agreements between farmers and agri-business firms, processors, wholesalers, exporters.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 20, 2020 02:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).