Punjab becomes the first State to reject Farm Acts
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II – Policies and interventions; Federalism
In news
Recently, Punjab became the first State to reject the Central government’s three Farm Acts.
It also passed three Bills to negate the Union laws.
It also rejected the proposed Electricity Amendment Bill and demanded their immediate annulment.
Key takeaways
Three farm Bills introduced by the Punjab assembly
The Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) (Special Provisions and Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2020: (1) Seeks to ensure that sale or purchase of wheat or paddy in Punjab is not allowed below the Minimum Support Price (MSP); (2) Seeks to provide for punishment for harassment of farmers or payment of less price to the farmers.
The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services (Special Provisions and Punjab Amendment Bill, 2020: (1)It provides for imprisonment of not less than three years and fines for sale-purchase of wheat or paddy under a farming agreement below the MSP.
The Essential Commodities (Special Provisions and Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2020: (1) It prevents hoarding and black-marketing of agricultural produce; (2) Seeks to ensure status quo ante with regard to implementation of ‘The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020’.
The Punjab bills have reintroduced market fees or licences for private players outside the APMCs which the central law had abolished .
The Assembly also introduced Code of Civil Procedure (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2020.
It seeks to exempt agricultural land not exceeding 2.5 acres from Section 60 of The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, which provides for attachment of various properties.
It also seeks to exempt the Properties of the farmers such as cattle, implements, cowsheds, etc from attachment.
