SAD concerns being addressed, says Nadda

Accuses Cong of doublespeak over APMC Act

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 16

Terming the agri ordinances as “revolutionary”, BJP president JP Nadda today said these would change the face of the farming sector and the state of farmers in the country. He accused the Congress of lying and doublespeak while pointing to its past actions and the promise to repeal the Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act in its 2019 election manifesto.

A day after Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal told the Lok Sabha that his party was “not consulted” over the ordinances, Nadda said they were talking to their Punjab ally to “address its concerns”. While asserting that the MSP would stay “now and forever” and the APMC Act would continue to exist, Nadda said decisions had been taken after consultations.

Slamming the Congress, Nadda said the UPA in 2013-14 had denotified fruits and vegetables from the APMC Act in its states, including Haryana, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Karnataka.

Nadda said farmers who did not want to go to ‘mandis’ could sell their produce outside. “If they are getting a better price outside, why would they sell their produce at MSP in mandis. If they are getting a good price in mandis, they will go there, it will be their choice,” he said

“The Congress is opposing the Bill because they do nothing but politicking,” he alleged, asserting that every action and policy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was dedicated towards the welfare of poor, farmers and the last person in the queue. “The three agri reforms are dedicated to farmers, giving them choice and freedom to cross barriers. These will help farmers increase their produce and investment in the sector,” he said.