'Misinformed of facts': Narendra Tomar counters Sharad Pawar's list of issues on farm laws

Rebutting Sharad Pawar's claims, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Sunday, said that Pawar may genuinely be misinformed of the facts. Hoping that Pawar will change his mind, Tomar presented some facts on the new Farm Laws. Pawar, who was UPA govt's Agriculture Minister, has condemned the new laws claiming it will 'weaken mandis'.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates: India reports 13,052 new cases; full occupancy in theatres

Tomar rebuts Pawar's claims on new farm laws

Tomar said that the new laws facilitate promotion of additional choice for farmers with the choice to sell their produce to anyone, anywhere outside the state to realize competitive & better net price, which doesn’t affect the current MSP system. Assuring that mandis won't be affected, Tomar said that mandis will become competitive and cost-effective in terms of services and infrastructure. He pointed out that Pawar had himself tried hard to bring the same agriculture reforms earlier.

President Kovind gives his assent to all three Farm Bills amid nationwide farmer protests

Pawar: 'New laws will weaken mandis'

Recalling his tenure in the UPA govt, Pawar claimed that the new agricultural laws restrict the powers of Mandi system i.e. the collection of levy and fees from the private markets, dispute resolution, agri-trade licensing, and regulations of E-trading, thus weakening them. He also claimed that removal of stock-piling limits may lead to apprehensions that Corporates may purchase commodities at lower rates and stockpile and sell at higher prices to consumers. Pawar has addressed the Farmers' protest held by the All India Kisan Sabha in Mumbai.   

Manish Sisodia claims 'BJP insulted tricolour at Red Flag to malign farmers' amid probe

What are the three farm bills?

As the country opened up after lockdown, the Centre promulgated three ordinances affecting agriculture. Agriculture foodstuff including cereals, edible oils, oilseeds, pulses, onions, and potato are to be deregulated while stock limits were to be imposed only under extreme conditions, under the amendment to the Essential Commodities act. The Farmers' produce trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act was to enable better price realisation for farmers by attracting investments - making agriculture sector competitive.  Under the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm services ordinance, 2020, it provided a framework for the protection and empowerment of farmers with reference to the sale and purchase of farm products overriding all state APMC laws. With massive protests against these laws, Supreme Court has stayed its implementation.

Singhu clash: Akali Dal claims Delhi police 'insulted faith' of Sikh youth; demands action