SAD appeals to Centre not to enact laws on farm ordinances till redressal of farmers’ fears

S on Saturday appealed to BJP-led Centre t to present three farm ordinances for approval in Parliament until “all reservations” expressed by farmers are “duly dressed.” A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of S core committee which was presided over by Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Bal in Chandigarh.

core committee felt that it was its responsibility to get reservations of 'annaata' (farmers) dressed and asserted that it was committed to taking up all issues raised by farmers with Union government, said a party release here.

statement came, amid a widespre criticism by many farmers' organisations of three farm ordinances promulgated by Centre.

appeal from S for t enacting laws on ordinances came despite party earlier maintaining that Centre has assured that se ordinances will have bearing on existing crop procurement policy.

Last month, Sukhbir Bal h even said that Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar h written to him that re was change in present policy of purchase of agriculture produce through Minimum Support Price through state ncies.

Bal h even accused Chief Minister Amarinder Singh of trying to “misle” people on this issue.

Farmers have expressed apprehension that se ordinances would pave way for dismantling of MSP system and y would be at “mercy” of big corporates. y have been demanding rollback of se ordinances.

ordinances are Farmers' Produce Tre and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance, 2020, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Ordinance, 2020 and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020.

S's core committee ted that S leership met farmer organisations representatives and those of 'khet mazdoor' (farm labour) during last few days.

“It also held discussions with farm experts to take ir views, besides taking view of grassroots party workers as well as senior party leership,” party said in a release.

A considered view has emerged that Union government should t rush for enacting laws on ordinances till apprehensions conveyed to S were dressed, said release.

Bal conveyed to core committee that he h also been approached by farmers as well as farm organisations from joining states and that all of m h expressed apprehensions about central ordinances and urged S to take up ir issues and grievances with central leership.

“Taking this into account, S is also of view that concerns should be taken up for consideration by Centre,” said party.

core committee felt that it is appropriate that S president le a delegation to discuss concerns of farmers with central government.

Congress-led state government, which is spearheing a campaign against ordinances, h described se ordinances as a "blatant attack" on federal structure.

On August 28, Punjab Assembly h passed a resolution, rejecting se farm ordinances.

CM h n said se are t only against interest of farmers and landless workers and time-tested agriculture marketing system established in state but are also against Constitution of India.

(PTI im)