Sharad Pawar Raises Concerns Regarding New Farm Laws

On Saturday, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar raised concerns over the Centre’s three new farm laws. In a virtual all-party meeting in the wake of the Budget session, Pawar noted that the new legislation will affect the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and weaken the Mandi system. The Budget session was held to discuss
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Sharad Pawar Raises Concerns Regarding New Farm Laws

On Saturday, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar raised concerns over the Centre’s three new farm laws.

In a virtual all-party meeting in the wake of the Budget session, Pawar noted that the new legislation will affect the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and weaken the Mandi system.
The Budget session was held to discuss issues related to the proposed agenda, farmers’ agitation and women’s bill

Reform is a continuous process and no one would argue against the reforms in the APMCs or Mandi System, a positive argument on the same does not mean that it is done to weaken or demolish the system,” Pawar tweeted.

Pawar said, “I am also concerned about the amended Essential Commodities Act. According to the Act the government will intervene for price control only if rates of horticultural produce are increased by 100 per cent and that of non-perishable items increase by 50 per cent.”

“Stockpiling limits have been removed on food grain, pulses, onion, potato, oilseeds etc. It may lead to apprehensions that Corporates may purchase commodities at lower rates and stockpile and sell at higher prices to consumers,” he added.

On one hand rime Minister Narendra Modi said that the government’s stand remains the same as it was proposed by the Agriculture Minister on 22 January. On the other hand, Pawar’s concerns come as a response to PM Modi’s assurance that the government I approaching farm laws issue with an open mind.

Meanwhile, farmers’ agitation against the farm laws have further gained momentum after a failed move by the administration to vacate the protest site near the Ghazipur border as the farmers and their leaders stood in solidarity with Rakesh Tikait, who has been leading the agitation at the venue.

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