The Shetkari Sanghatan (SS), the farmers’ organisation founded by the late Sharad Joshi, said the Centre should not revoke the laws on agri-reform, but should make adjustments in line with the farmers’ demands.
SS President Anil Ghanwat said that before adopting them, the Centre did not discuss the agricultural laws in depth with the farmers, resulting in widespread misunderstanding. After consultations with farmers, the government will remain in accordance with the laws and amend them. However, these rules, which have actually opened opportunities for farmers, do not need to be withdrawn,” he said.
SS suggested that the govt should allow States to decide on APMCs and contract agriculture. States should be entitled to enact their own legislation on the functioning of APMCs, the cessation of mandis and the creation of mandis. By having a Model Act, the Centre will provide a set of guiding principles.
First introduce the promised pro-farmer initiatives, then enact the agriculture laws
Ghanwat said that the “farmers in Punjab must hold talk for a clear understanding of the law with the government and withdraw the protest, the government must abolish the Essential Commodities Act that has led in the oppression of farmers.”
The SS has cautioned that if the government surrender to farmers’ pressure from Punjab, no government would dare to implement agricultural reforms in the future.
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