Sangh affiliates urge BJP-led govt to send agri-legislations to a select committee

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 19

Amid the raging controversy related to the three agriculture legislation that the Narendra Modi government is trying to push through the Parliament, Sangh-affiliate Bhartiya Kisan Sangh has urged it to send the contentious Bills to a Select Committee.

Additionally, the farmers’ wing of the RSS along with its economic wing, the Swadeshi Jagran Manch, have also asked the government headed by sister organisation BJP to provide the legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price in the law and declare as illegal any purchase made below the support price.

Talking to The Tribune, Ashwani Mahajan of the SJM said legal assurance of MSP is important to address genuine fears and apprehensions of farmers. “Intentions of the government are very good, farmers should have the freedom and the best price for their produce without middlemen usurping their rightful gains. However, now that new agriculture laws are being made, MSP should be made a legal provision whether a purchase is made inside or outside a ‘mandi’. Those who try to deny farmers this right should be punished as per law,” Mahajan said.

Meanwhile, asserting that the three bills are sent to a Select Committee of the Parliament, BKS General Secretary Dinesh Kulkarni said: “The government has agreed to our demand related to the definition of farmers. However, given that the Ordinances are alive till January 2021, it is advisable the legislations are sent to a Select Committee for consultations with all parties and stakeholders.”

“Besides, the government should include the MSP in the Act to ensure that farmers are not deprived of the minimum support price and that those who deny the farmers their legal right are punished as per the law. To further protect their interests, private traders should be registered by the State and the Centre with adequate bank security and data made available on a website. Alongside to settle disputes separate farmers/agriculture courts should be set up,” Kulkarni said.

Kulkarni added that if the government thinks it is not possible to include MSP in these legislations, it can bring a separate law to ensure that. “The BKS supports free trade and reforms, including creation of alternative mechanisms for farmers. At the same time genuine concerns of farmers also should be addressed. The maximum number of farmers in the country is small and marginal and there should be adequate mechanisms to protect their interests and ensure they get payment when their produce is lifted. An option also is the government becomes a guarantor,” he said.

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