Congress to challenge Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act in court: Amarinder

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday said state Congress will challenge Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020 in court of law.

He described legislation “a direct and deliberate assault” by Centre on farmers' interests.

Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020 which seeks to deregulate food items, including cereals, pulses and onion, a move aimed at transforming farm sector and raising farmers' income.

Riding roughshod over farmers’ concerns, central government, of which Shiromani Akali Dal (S) is a constituent, has imposed a central law on a state subject, thus “eroding” federal structure of country, said CM.

“We will challenge it in court,” he said in a statement here.

Asserting that he will t allow farmers’ interests to be compromised in this “shameless manner”, Singh said enactment of legislation is a step towards “abolition” of MSP (minimum support price) regime.

“It is a conspiracy on part of BJP-led NDA government to destroy Punjab and its farmers,” he alleged and declared that Congress will fight this “attack” on state's interests tooth and nail.

“ legislation talks of encouraging competition among farmers. Do y really expect poor farmers, who are only competing with mselves for survival every day, to rival big corporates for protecting ir interests?” asked CM.

ting that enactment, along with or two farm ordinances that Centre has alrey tabled in Lok Sabha, was in line with recommendations of Shanta Kumar committee, Singh said.

same committee h also suggested dismantling of MSP regime. It is evident that NDA government is w moving towards “elimination” of MSP system, he alleged.

CM also took on Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Bal, accusing him of failing to protect interests of Punjab's farmers.

Sukhbir and his S were clearly a party to “treachery” of Union government, which has paved way for “taking away” rights of farmers, he alleged.

“Will you quit ruling coalition at Centre?” CM asked Sukhbir.