Centre takes back 3 farm laws, Modi announces in address to the nation

In a major development on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the government decision to withdraw the three controversial farm laws saying the constitutional process to do so would be completed in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament.

Greeting the nation in an address on Friday on the occasion of Gurpurab, the prime minister expressed happiness at the reopening of the Kartarpur corridor and said, “Today I have come to tell you, the whole country, that we have decided to withdraw all three agricultural laws. In  Parliament session starting later this month, we will complete the constitutional process to repeal these three agricultural laws.”

The decision comes ahead of five state elections earlier next year and the recent dismal performance of the BJP in some bypolls.

The PM said when he was given the opportunity to serve the country as prime minister in 2014, the government gave the highest priority to agriculture development and farmer welfare.

While defending the concept behind the farm laws, the PM said the government could not convince some farmers of the value of the farm laws and, therefore, the decision to repeal the laws was taken.

“We not only increased the MSP, but also created a record number of government procurement centres. The procurement of the produce made by our government has broken the records of the last several decades.  The objective of the three farm laws was that the farmers of the country, especially small farmers, should be strengthened, they should get the right price for their produce and maximum options to sell the produce,” the PM said seeking to justify the government move to reform the laws, a step that led to massive farmer protests with Delhi borders becoming the centre of the agitation.

The PM said “These laws were brought for the welfare of farmers, specially small farmers, in the interest of the agriculture sector, for a bright future of ‘gaanv-gareeb’ – village-poor, with full integrity, clear conscience and dedication towards farmers.”

The PM said “such a sacred thing, absolutely pure, a matter of farmers’ interest, we could not explain to some farmers despite our efforts”.

He added that ageicultural economists, scientists, progressive farmers also tried their best to make the farmers understand the importance of agricultural laws but could not.

The PM also announced the formation of a committee to promote zero budgeting-based agriculture, to change crop pattern as per the changing needs of the country and to make MSP more effective and transparent.

“The committee will have representatives of the central government, state governments, farmers, agricultural scientists, and agricultural economists,” he said.

He said he had seen the challenges of the farmers very closely in his five decades of public life. “That is why, when I was given the opportunity to serve the country as prime minister in 2014, we gave the highest priority to agriculture development and  farmer welfare”.

The Prime Minister said four-prong measures of seeds, insurance, market and savings were taken to ameliorate the conditions of farmers.

“Along with good quality seeds, the government also connected the farmers with facilities like neem-coated urea, soil health card and micro irrigation. Many initiatives have been taken for the farmers to get the right price for their produce in return for their hard work. The country has strengthened its rural market infrastructure,” said the PM.

The PM said the government not only increased the MSP, but also created a record number of government procurement centres.

The procurement of the produce made by our government had broken the records of the last several decades, he said.

The Prime Minister remarked that “in this great campaign to improve the condition of the farmers, three agricultural laws were brought in the country, and the objective was that the farmers of the country, especially small farmers, should be strengthened, they should get the right price for their produce and maximum options to sell the produce.”

The Prime Minister said for years, farmers of the country, agricultural experts of the country and farmers’ organisations were continuously making this demand.

“Earlier also, many governments had brainstormed on this. This time also, there was discussion in Parliament, brainstorming took place and these laws were brought up. In every nook and corner of the country, many farmer organisations welcomed and supported it. I expressed my gratitude to the organisations, farmers and individuals who supported the move,” said the PM.

Deferring to the long-standing demand of farmers, the PM said that in the the spirit “today is not the day for blaming anyone and is in fact a day to rededicate oneself to working for the welfare of the farmers”.

The move comes ahead of elections in seven states next year and a growing sense among government leaders that the farmers’ agitation was harming party prospects.

The withdrawal is reminiscent of a similar pullback of the government from the land acquisition law.

The opposition was quick to react to the PM’s announcement with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi congratulating farmers.

“Farmers have forced an arrogant government to bow to their demands. Congratulations for this victory over injustice,” Gandhi said posting an old message where he had said “mark my words, the government will have to rescind farm laws.”

TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted, “My heartfelt congratulations to every single farmer who fought relentlessly and were not fazed by the cruelty with which BJP treated you. This is YOUR VICTORY!  My deepest condolences to everyone who lost their loved ones in this fight.”

AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal termed the news “hearty” on the occasion of Gurpurab. “Nearly 700 farmers lost their lives. My salutation to the farmers who sacrificed their lives to protect the interests of the community,” Kejriwal said.

TNS