Tribune News Service
Patiala, September 26
SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal today demanded immediate promulgation of an ordinance by the Punjab Government to declare the state an agriculture market (mandi) so as to ensure Centre’s “anti-farmer” Acts are not applicable to the state.
“We urge Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to immediately issue an ordinance declaring Punjab a mandi and follow it up quickly with a special Vidhan Sabha session to make it an Act. The SAD urges all parties to ensure unanimous passage of the Bill,” said Badal, in his address to Akali workers and farmers here, adding the party would support the CM on the farmers’ issue.
“Instead of being obsessed with Akali phobia and indulging in mudslinging, the CM must act to safeguard farmers. The only way is to block the implementation of central Acts by declaring the state a ‘Principal Market Area’ or mandi for farm produce. The new laws will not be applicable to areas declared as mandi by the state. This way, big corporate sharks will not be able to enter the state,” said Badal.
He also asked the CM to get the 2017 amendments to the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act repealed. “These are similar to the ‘black laws’ of the Centre. The amendments actually pre-date the Centre’s black laws passed now. These need to be repealed by the Vidhan Sabha. We will fully support the government on the initiative.”
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