New farm laws: Letters to the Editor

New farm laws

The Modi government has demanded the enactment of a new agriculture law aimed at doubling the income of farmers, though farmers across the country have not been able to be convinced by such demands or assurances from the government. Instead, various farmer organizations in the country have called for the repeal of three laws recently enacted by the Central government, calling them anti-agriculture and anti-farmer. They alleged that any law passed by the Modi government in violation of all democratic norms and traditions will harm the farmers of India and benefit only the domestic and foreign corporates. Complaints of farmer organizations —The farmers produce trade and commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the farmers (Empowerment and Protection) agreement and price assurance and farm services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. This law will destroy the Indian peasantry and widen the way for the agricultural sector to be handed over to the corporate group. The government has said that the minimum support price (MSP) will remain the same, although it fears that the farmers will not have the power to bargain for the sale of the produce. The farmers of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and other States have been protesting against the passage of the bill in Parliament. Protest movements have been formed in other States as well, at the behest of farmer organizations. Recently, a large number of farmers from Punjab were harassed by the Delhi Police as they enter Haryana for the Delhi Yatra Programme. This unfortunate incident proves that the Modi government is not the least bit interested in thinking about the problems and grievances of the farmers.

Heramba Nath,

Kamrup.

Be responsible

Though the governments and the courts are taking responsibility to come out of the pandemic, it is also the duty of the citizens to take precautionary steps to avoid the transmission of the virus. They should practice social distancing, cover their mouth and nose properly with mask, use sanitizer and wash hands properly. It should be the moral duty of a citizen to not only look after their own health, but also that of others.

Chandan Kumar Nath,

Sorbhog.