Sanjay Jha points to 'repeal APMC' clause in Cong manifesto; busts farm bills opposition

As Congress did a walkout from Lok Sabha during pass of three Farm Bills, ex-Congress leer Sanjay Jha pointed out on Friday, that Congress' 2019 manifesto h promised to repeal APMC act, making agricultural produce free from restrictions. Slamming Congress' opposition to bill, he said that BJP and Congress were on same side. Lok Sabha passed three Farm Bills after a heated debate as Congress and DMK walked out during debate, while NDA-ally Akali Dal too opposed it.

What of Akali Dal's NDA future after Harsimrat quits Modi cabinet? Sukhbir Bal answers

Sanjay Jha: 'Congress-BJP on same side on Farm Bills'

Opposition on Farm Bills

Earlier in day, Congress leer Digvijaya Singh said, "Congress govt h me APMC Act in favour of farmers.  But w, any big trer can open a Mandi & under se new anti-farmer Bills, any dispute at Mandi will be handled by officials. All se anti-farmer 4 ordinances should be seen in totality." On contrary, Congress' 2019 Manifesto claims:

• Congress will repeal Agricultural Produce Market Committees Act and make tre in agricultural produce — including exports and inter-state tre — free from all restrictions.
• We will establish farmers’ markets with equate infrastructure and support in large vills and small towns to enable farmer to bring his/her produce and freely market same.
• Congress will promote Farmer Producer Companies/Organisations to enable farmers to access inputs, techlogy and markets.

On Tuesday, Congress MPs from Punjab stormed out of parliament and burnt copies of bills outside Lok Sabha. y claimed that Centre was attempting 'bring everything under ambit of Parliament'. Meanwhile, RSM accused he BJP government of using Covid-19 pandemic situation to bulldoze agricultural reforms, misusing Presidential power under Article 123 of Constitution. Trinamool too vehemently opposed bills citing 'death of federalism'.

Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Bal resigns from Modi cabinet opposing three Farm Bills

S: Bal resigns in protest

During debate, BJP's staunch ally Shiromani Akali Dal (S) opposed three Farm bills in Lok Sabha. S president Sukhbir Singh Bal anunced that  Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Bal will resign from government to protest farm bills. minister stated, "My decision symbolises my party’s vision, its glorious legacy and its commitment to go to any extent to safeguard interests of farmers.” party is yet to decide its future in NDA.

Lok Sabha passes three farm bills after heated debate; S minister resigns, Cong walk out

What are three Farm bills?

Amid nationwide lockdown, Centre rolled out three governance and ministrative reforms in agriculture amending Essential Commodities act to enable better price realisation for farmers by attracting investments - making agriculture sector competitive.  Agriculture foodstuff including cereals, edible oils, oilseeds, pulses, onions and potato to be deregulated while stock limits were to imposed under extreme conditions. Under Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm services ordinance, 2020, it provided a framework for protection and empowerment of farmers with reference to sale and purchase of farm products overriding all state APMC laws.

Banking & Agriculture: Centre's two most contentious bills in this 18-day Monsoon Session