Centre agrees to farmers’ demand even as stubble burning remains a big cause of pollution in Delhi

After agreeing to repeal three farm laws, the Modi Government has agreed to meet the protesting farmers’ demand to decriminalise stubble burning, a major source of air pollution in the national Capital.

Announcing this, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Saturday urged farmer groups to end their agitation as the Government has listed the farm laws’ repeal Bill on the very first day of the Winter Session of Parliament on November 29.

On withdrawal of cases against farmers during the agitation, Tomar said this is in the domain of the State Governments and they can consider withdrawal of cases.

In the note on the farm law repeal Bill, sent to Parliament members, Tomar has defended the three contentious farm laws and wrote “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. Without taking away the existing mechanisms available to farmers, new avenues were provided for trade of their produce. Besides, farmers were free to select the avenues of their choice where they can get more prices for their produce without any compulsion”.

“...the farm laws are proposed to be repealed. It is also proposed to omit sub section ( IA) of section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act 1955 which was inserted vide the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020,” the Bill said.

“As we celebrate the 75th year of Independence — Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav — the need of the hour is to take everyone together on the path of inclusive growth and development,” reads the note written by the Agriculture Minister.

To repeal a law, a new law has to be enacted and a specific repealing clause is added to it. Therefore, the amendment bill for the three farm laws would have to be tabled in Parliament the same way as any other bill. Once both Houses of Parliament pass the bill, it will be ratified by the President of India and the previous Act would be withdrawn.

Farmers believe that the three agriculture laws passed in September 2020 would benefit large corporations and immensely hurt their livelihood. The Government wanted to implement the laws to loosen rules around sale, pricing and storage of farm produce.

Observing that there is no point in continuing the farmers’ protest after the announcement of the repeal of three farm laws, Tomar urged the protestors to end their agitation and return to their homes.

The Minister also informed that the Centre has agreed to the farmers’ demands to decriminalise stubble burning. He said another demand of the farmers was to have a discussion on the minimum support price (MSP) and crop diversification. This demand will also be fulfilled with the setting up of a panel as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 19 on the day of Gurupurab.

 “The farmers’ demand was to decriminalise stubble burning. The Government of India has agreed to this demand,” the Minister said.