President Kovind approves all the 3 key farm bills despite rising protests from farmers, Opposition

Photo Credits: PTI

President Ram Nath Kovind has given his assent and approved the three contentious farm bills on Sunday which the opposition parties termed as ‘anti-farmer’ and ‘corporate friendly’.

The government has notified the information stating that these legislations will support the farmers in terms of making them self-reliant. This move comes even after a dozen opposition parties addressed President Kovind to avoid signing the bills saying that the bills were approved “unconstitutionally” and in “complete disregard” of the norms.

The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, gives the sales liberty to the farmers beyond the APMC market yards or mandis. The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, will provide the farmers the privilege to make contracts with agribusiness firms, processors, wholesalers, exporters or large retailers  for further sales at a priorly decided price.

The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020 is for taking out the commodities like cereals, pulses, oilseeds, onion and potato from the essential commodities’ list and will do away with the imposition of holding limits for stocks.