Keypoints:
- NCP chief Sharad Pawar tweeted that new farm laws will adversely impact the MSP and thereby it will weaken the Mandi system.
- Pawar said in a series of tweets that the MSP mechanism should be strengthened further.
On Saturday, NCP chief Sharad Pawar took to Twitter to post a critique of the three farm laws and how it will adversely impact the MSP which will lead to the weakening of Mandi system. The farm laws have triggered the ongoing agitation.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had chaired an all party meet in which NCPs chief Sharad Pawar was also a part of.While addressing political leaders, PM Modi said the Centre’s offer for suspension of the farm laws for a period of 12-18 months is still open.
“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,” Sharad Pawar said on Saturday.
He also added, “During my tenure, the draft APMC Rules – 2007 were framed for the setting up of special markets thereby providing alternate platforms for farmers to market their commodities and utmost care was also taken to strengthen the existing Mandi system.”
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.
— Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) January 30, 2021
During my tenure, the draft APMC Rules – 2007 were framed for the setting up of special markets thereby providing alternate platforms for farmers to market their commodities and utmost care was also taken to strengthen the existing Mandi system. pic.twitter.com/OstVRxYVqD
— Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) January 30, 2021
New agricultural laws restrict the powers of Mandi system i.e. the collection of levy and fees from the private markets, dispute resolution, agri-trade licencing and regulations of E-trading.
— Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) January 30, 2021
New laws will adversely impact the MSP procurement infrastructure thereby weakening the Mandi system. MSP mechanism has to be ensured and strengthened further.
— Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) January 30, 2021
Referring to concerns about hoarding and black-marketing of produce, Sharad Pawar said, “I am also concerned about the amended Essential Commodities Act. According to the act the Govt will intervene for price control only if rates of horticultural produce are increased by 100% and that of non perishable items increase by 50%.”
I am also concerned about the amended Essential Commodities Act. According to the act the Govt will intervene for price control only if rates of horticultural produce are increased by 100% and that of non perishable items increase by 50%.
— Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) January 30, 2021
Stock piling 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 stock pile and sell at higher prices to consumers.— Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) January 30, 2021
Addressing a farmers’ rally at Azad Maidan in Mumbai on January 25, Pawar had accused Modi of displaying “complete indifference and insensitivity” towards farmers protesting for the past 60 days on the outskirts of Delhi, and had warned that angry farmers could bring down governments.
“Let it be known that if you persist with laws that are detrimental to farmers, it will have serious ramifications. If the laws are enforced, farmers will be uprooted. And any attempt to do so will lead to farmers using their might to uproot the government,” Pawar had then said.
