No to farm policy

The unanimous resolution in the Punjab Assembly rejecting the draft National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing does not come as a surprise. The draft policy has been dubbed as an attempt to bring back the contentious farm laws that were repealed in 2021 after a long protest by farmers. It's being argued that the broad aim is to promote private mandis and dilute the Agricultural Produce Market Committee mandis. The Centre, the resolution adds, should leave it to the wisdom of the states to frame suitable policies. The trust gap is visible and seems to be only widening. It does not augur well for any stakeholder. It limits the scope of discussion on what's best for farming and the farmer. This, in turn, shrinks the space for new and innovative solutions.

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The Centre's protracted talks with the protesting farmers is indication enough of the crisis plaguing the agriculture sector, and the challenges in finding common ground. The House resolution reflects the inherent lack of confidence in anything the Centre proposes regarding agriculture. A near-standoff situation is now par for the course. Where a clash of ideas could be expected to lead to productive and viable offshoots, here it is resulting in tense and confrontational exchanges. No one is gaining, certainly not the farmer.

Since Punjab's political establishment is firm that no interference would be tolerated, it must accept the responsibility to come up with a template for change. Call a special Assembly session or have a detailed all-party discussion on the farming crisis. For once, let experts of all hues have their say. Zero in on what's doable, what's practical, and build consensus on implementing it. Playing the victim is futile. The state government must show intent where it really matters.