AAP MLAs stage sit-in protest inside Punjab Assembly; demand draft of new farm bill

MLAs of Aam Ami Party (AAP) on Monday std an overnight sit-in protest in Punjab legislative assembly building against Captain Amarinder Singh-led government for t sharing draft of new agriculture law.

MLAs sat cross-legged on premises of assembly building in wee hours of Tuesday. leer demanded Congress government to share draft of proposed law to be introduced in assembly.

Several AAP MLAs h sat in well of house till late on Monday, demanding copies of draft bill. Punjab is attempting to counter effects of centre's new farm laws with help of state laws.

"AAP will support legislation against farm laws but government should supply us with its copies. We haven't got copies of or bills as well. How can our legislators discuss and debate important issues?" AAP leer Harpal Cheema told PTI.

Delhi BJP Holds ‘Khat Panchayat’ To Garner Support For Farm Laws

Shiromani Akali Dal, which recently parted ways with BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in protest against Centre's agriculture laws, said proposed bill should have been introduced in Punjab assembly on Monday.

assembly session was also attended by MLA Navjot Singh Sidhu for first time since his resignation from Punjab cabinet last year. Taking to his YouTube channel, Sidhu criticised centre's farm laws terming m as a "brutal attack" on federal structure. Congress leer sought an assured MSP and government procurement of crops. He said centre talks of doubling farmers' income but is taking away only assured income.

All three controversial farm bills caused a huge political storm in Parliament and cost ruling BJP its alliance with Shiromani Akali Dal. bills became laws on September 29 with signature of President Ram Nath Kovind.

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What are agrarian laws?

Farmers' Produce Tre and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020 aims at freeing  farmers from constraints of state Agriculture Produce Market Committees whereby y would be able to sell ir produce anywhere. Meanwhile,  Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 protects and empowers farmers to eng with processors, wholesalers, large retailers, exporters for farm services. This entails provision of contract farming. 

RE | Farm Laws: Farmer Groups Boycott Talks Over Ministers' Absence; Govt Says Open For Discussions

On or hand,  Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 specifies that supply of foodstuffs including cereals, pulses, potato, edible oilseeds, and oils shall be regulated only under exceptional circumstances. President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to farm legislation despite being petitioned by Congress, Shiv Sena, NCP, LJD, AAP, RJD, IUML, TMC, Kerala Congress(M), TRS, JD(S), CPI(M), DMK, CPI and SP. opposition has raised concerns about exploitation of farmers by big corporates and applicability of MSP.

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