Bajwa Criticizes BJP Government for Reintroducing Controversial Farm Law Provisions
Chandigarh(The Uttam Hindu): Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Partap Singh Bajwa on Monday sharply criticized the BJP-led Union government for its attempt to reintroduce clauses from the three controversial farm laws that triggered a year-long farmers' agitation at Delhi’s borders in 2020-21.
“At a time when farmers are already fighting to secure the legalisation of Minimum Support Price (MSP), the BJP government is devising policies that could prove disastrous for agricultural marketing,” Bajwa stated. The senior Congress leader pointed to the Union government’s draft National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing, released on November 25, which has faced widespread backlash from farm union leaders and agricultural economists.
“With this policy, the government appears determined to undermine Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees (APMCs) and pave the way for big corporations in agricultural marketing. Once APMCs are weakened, farmers will be left at the mercy of private players, forced to sell their produce at distressed prices. Instead of guaranteeing MSP, the BJP government is pushing a regressive agenda that endangers farmers and agriculture,” Bajwa said. Bajwa also criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government for its delayed response to the draft policy. He alleged that the Punjab government waited nearly 20 days before deciding to consult Farmers and other stakeholders.
“Today, the Punjab agriculture minister convened a meeting on this critical issue. Where was the urgency earlier? This delay reflects the AAP government’s lack of sincerity towards farmers’ welfare,” said the Qadian legislator. Calling for a united front, Bajwa urged all stakeholders—including farmers, unions, pressure groups, economists, and political parties in Punjab—to come together and develop a strategy to counter these policies. “This is the time to set aside differences and stand united for the protection of Punjab’s farmers and agriculture,” he emphasized.
