Published 19:49 IST, January 30th 2021
Chhattisgarh CM urges Centre to repeal farm laws post PM Modi's latest overture to farmers
Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel questioned the rationale of staying the implementation of farm laws for 18 months and instead urged the Centre to repeal them.
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On Saturday, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel questioned rationale of staying implementation of farm laws for 18 months and instead urged Centre to repeal m. He was referring to PM Modi's overture to farmers during all-party meeting earlier in day. Mentioning that lakhs of farmers are protesting against agrarian laws in "Gandhian" style, Baghel accused Union government of trying to distract from 'repeal' demand. According to Congress leader, Centre was adopting such a stance because it wanted to benefit industrialists.
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PM Modi's olive branch to farmers
Addressing all-party meeting, PM Modi stressed that Union government's proposal of staying farm law implementation for 18 months was still valid. talks between Centre and farmers' unions had come to a standstill after 12th round of talks when latter rejected this offer. While farmers have insisted on continuing ir protests until repeal of agrarian laws, PM reiterated government's willingness for talks despite violence that took place during tractor rally on Republic Day.
PM Modi remarked, "As for farmers' issues which you have talked about, I want to reiterate what Narendra Singh Tomar said after January 22 meeting of Narendra Singh Tomar and committee with farmers. I want to convey same. Narendra Singh ji said in meeting that we have t been able to reach an agreement, we are giving you this proposal. You go back and think about it. I am just one phone call away. When you make up your mind, I will fix a meeting with you and meeting venue within a few hours' time. Indian government's proposal is still valid even today. Please convey this to protesters you kw."
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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. 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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19:49 IST, January 30th 2021