Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): After Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced to withdraw farm laws, economists, farmers’ unions, agriculturists spoke expressed their views on the rollback. Though farmers in Madhya Pradesh were not involved in agitation, they could not remain aloof.
The three farm laws - Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, Farmers’ (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act - were first introduced as ordinances. Farmers oppose the ordinances and launched protest in Punjab. Parliament passed on September 17, 2020 and Rajya Sabha (by voice vote) on September 20, 2021.
What they say?
Failed to explain
Economist (IEHE) Dr Anjali Jain said, “The central government failed to explain the Acts to farmers. Fear was in mind of farmers that they will be exploited by business corporate secretor. If issue is related to economy, it should be solved accordingly and should not be politicised.”
Famers’ victory
Economist (IEHE) Dr Harihar Gupta said, “Laws were not enforced. So, it will hardly impact farmers’ income even after PM announced to rollback the laws. Farmers were agitating for withdrawal for the last one-and-a-half years, so it is their victory.”
Benefit both
Former agriculture director Dr GS Kaushal said, “Rollback of bill will benefit both - farmers as well as people - as once agriculture produce is sold to traders (as per provision of Acts), it is up to them to fix the rate. This decision of PM Modi will benefit both the sectors - farmers and consumers.”
Actual problem
Bharatiya Kisan Sangh’s Badrinarain Chaudhary said, “Farm laws would have benefited small and marginal farmers but PM has taken the decision to withdraw to stop the direct confrontation with so-called farmers. Actual problem is market for farmers and not the laws.”
