Navjot Sidhu launches fiery attack on Centre over Farm Acts, puts own govt in the dock too

In a blistering attack over Farm Acts on Sunday, firebrand Congress leer Navjot Singh Sidhu alleged that Centre was trying to impose USA's failed system on Indian farmers. dressing a rally in Moga, he claimed that  capitalists are running country at present. Sidhu lamented that benefits provided to farmers are termed as "subsidies" while relaxations worth lakhs of rupees given to rich are labelled "incentives".

Maintaining that his forefars created Mandi infrastructure in Punjab, he predicted that farmers will have to work as labourers in absence of mandis. Continuing his speech despite Punjab Minister Sukhjinder Randhawa requesting him to wind up his speech, Sidhu also took a dig at Amarinder Singh-led government in state. It is pertinent to te that this was first occasion after months that Congress leer participated in a party event amid his ongoing tiff with Punjab CM.

Stressing that it is responsibility of Punjab government to take responsibility and provide solutions, he raised questions on need to import pulses. Moreover, he urged state government to give Minimum Support Price on oilseeds. At same time, Sidhu thanked Congress president Sonia Gandhi for instructing states ruled by party to enact separate laws to bypass Farm Acts under Article 254(2) of Constitution. 

Navjot Singh Sidhu remarked, " Punjab government should take responsibility. It should give solutions. Punjab government is importing pulses worth crores of rupees for Atta Dal scheme. Why can't we grow m here? Why can't we grow m here? Why can't we give MSP on oilseeds?"

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What are Farm Acts?

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.

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 such as war, famine, extraordinary price rise, and natural calamity of a grave nature. 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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