After Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the passing of the two landmark farm bills on Sunday, farmers group in Karnataka have decided to do ‘Karnataka Band’ on 28th September 2020.
Karnataka Rakshana Vedike along with the President, Narayana Gowda support this ‘Karnataka Band’ decision on 28th September 2020. This is in regards to farmers bill introduced by Modi government where people are allowed to buy directly from farmers, but historically APMC was buying from farmers with minimum selling/buying price.
Now central government has said the private can buy from farmers but no minimum selling price is set. Farmers worry that these private players will lobby and buy products by taking advantage of farmers inability to bargain at the time of selling. Farmers also worry that APMC will be closed in course of time if private players continue to dominate.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated the Parliament on passing the two landmark farm bills and said that this passage of key bills will ensure a complete transformation of the agriculture sector as well as empower crores of farmers.
“For decades, the Indian farmer was bound by various constraints and bullied by middlemen. The bills passed by Parliament liberate the farmers from such adversities. These bills will add impetus to the efforts to double income of farmers and ensure greater prosperity for them,” tweeted the prime minister.
“Our agriculture sector is in desperate need of latest technology that assists the industrious farmers,” Modi said. Stating the importance and boost of technology in the agriculture sector, he added, “now, with the passage of the bills, our farmers will have easier access to futuristic technology that will boost production and yield better results. This is a welcome step.”
Through his tweets, Modi also reiterated that system of Minimum Support Price (MSP) will remain. He also added that government procurement will continue.
“We are here to serve our farmers. We will do everything possible to support them and ensure a better life for their coming generations,” he said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that India has cemented the strong foundation for ‘Atmanirbhar Agriculture’ after Rajya Sabha passed two landmark farm bills.
“This is the result of endless dedication and determination of the government under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi,” Rajnath tweeted.
Rajya Sabha on Sunday passed the Farmers’ and Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, amid protests by Opposition MPs. The Bills were passed by voice vote in the Upper House. Both of these Bills were passed by the Lower House with a voice vote a couple of days back.
Opposition MPs came in the well of the House and raised slogans against the bills. Soon after passage of these Bills, Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 9 am on Monday. These bills will now be sent to the President of India for assent.
The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 seeks to provide freedom to farmers to sell their produce anywhere in the country.
The second bill, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, provides for a national framework on farming agreements that protects and empowers farmers to engage with agri-business firms, processors, wholesalers, exporters or large retailers for farm services.
