In a first, Punjab Assembly rejects Centre's farm laws

CHANDIGARH: In a first in the country, the legislative Assembly in Punjab led by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday unanimously passed three legislations and formally rejected the Centre's 'black' agricultural laws brought by the BJP-led Union government.

The Bills provide for imprisonment of not less than three years and a fine for sale or purchase of wheat or paddy under a farming agreement below the MSP, exemption of farmers from attachment of land up to 2.5 acres and prevention of hoarding and black-marketing of agricultural produce, among other things.

The three Bills, rejecting outright the Centre's 'anti-farmer' laws, and the proposed Electricity Amendment Bill that led to widespread protests by farmers in the agrarian states of Punjab and Haryana, were passed with a voice vote amid the presence of the ShriomaniAkali Dal (SAD) and the AamAadmi Party (AAP) members.

However, both the BJP members remained absent from the House during the special session of the VidhanSabha. The Assembly also unanimously passed a resolution rejecting the Central legislations and the proposed Electricity Amendment Bill, seeking their immediate annulment along with a new Ordinance to protect the minimum support price (MSP) and ensure continuance of procurement by the government of India.

The Chief Minister informed the House that he had sought time from the President of India to raise Punjab's concerns on the farm laws and seek his intervention to protect the farmers. He later led all the MLAs to the Punjab Raj Bhavan to submit the resolution passed by the House to Governor V.P. Singh Badnore. Thanking all mthe embers for supporting the resolution, the Chief Minister said this would send a positive message to the farmers.

He assured all support to the farmers and vowed not to let Punjab's peaceful atmosphere be vitiated at any cost.

Amarinder Singh once again reiterated his appeal to the protesting farmers' unions to allow movement of trains for the transportation of coal, urea and foodgrains, pointing out that the state had already lost Rs 40,000 crore in revenue due to the 'rail roko'. Industry and business was as much the responsibility of the state government as was agriculture, he said, adding that the farmers' fight was against Delhi, not against Punjab. He expressed hope that the farmers' organisations will heed his appeal. (IANS)

Also Read: Punjab Assembly's special session to be extended by a day

Also Watch: 7 Feet Long Python Rescued