Anurag Thakur slams Congress for 'playing politics' in name of farmers, defends farm laws

Defending controversial agriculture laws that have been strictly resisted by Opposition across States, MoS for Finance and Corporate Affairs Anurag Thakur said that Congress was ‘playing politics’ in name of farmers at a time when Union government was working to provide automy and independence to farmers.

Slamming Congress, Thakur said that party is playing politics on issue of newly passed laws while Centre is working to double income of farmers by 2022.

"Congress was playing politics in name of farmers. We were working to provide automy and independence to m. Congress is playing politics in name of farmers with 2022 Punjab election in mind," said MoS Finance.

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Taking a jibe at tractor rally held in Punjab, Minister furr stated that some people protest for farmers by "installing sofa seats on tractors. This shows ir true face," he added.

Anurag Thakur’s statement follows unrelenting farmers' protest in Punjab and Haryana over new agriculture laws. Congress party, along with several or opposition parties, have criticised laws while BJP has called it progressive laws that will be beneficial for farmers across country.

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What are farm laws?

Farmers' Produce Trade 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. 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.

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(With inputs from ncy)