Farmers to pass resolution for repeal of amended Essential Commodities Act

Farmers protesting the Central agri laws held discussions on the amended Essential Commodities Act, one of the three contentious legislations, at their ‘’Kisan Sansad’’ in Jantar Mantar on Tuesday and said they will pass a resolution for its repeal.

Discussion of the Act was started on Monday by women farmers from Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana, who held ‘’Kisan Sansad’’ at the same spot.

Every day, 200 farmers are participating in the ‘’Kisan Sansad’’, which is a part of their strategy to draw the government’’s as well as the opposition’’s attention to the issues that have been plaguing the farming community.

The ‘’Kisan Sansad’’ started late on Tuesday, around 12 noon, due to the heavy traffic and waterlogging after parts of the national capital witnessed rainfall.

The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of farmer unions protesting at various Delhi border points against three farm laws, in a statement, demanded the amended Essential Commodities Act, 2020, should be immediately repealed.

“The farmers’’ parliament repeals this Act and asks Parliament to do the same.”

Bharatiya Kisan Union General Secretary Yudhvir Singh said, “The Essential Commodities Act was passed in 1955 to stop the black market and since then no one has asked for the amendment. Every citizen in the country is raising their voice in support of the farmers.”

State governments, in consultation with farmer unions, should strengthen the marketing, transportation, storage facilities and food processing for crops, bring improvements in the food delivery system to ensure basic food and nutrition security to all people, the SKM statement said.

“The Government of India should frame a policy and ensure the establishment of such basic facilities and infrastructure that will ensure that farmers and their families, not corporates and MNCs, earn from the food production, storage, processing and marketing,” it said.

Farmer leader Raminder Singh Patiala, who reached Jantar Mantar on Tuesday as an observer, said, “We are continuing the discussion over the Essential Commodities Act which was started by the women on Monday. The women also demanded to repeal the law.”

“We are hopeful of passing a resolution to repeal the law while concluding the Kisan Sansad for the day. P R Pandian, Randhir Singh Dheera, Rishipal Ambawata, Inderjeet Singh, Jarnail Singh and Harminder Singh Khaira were elected as speakers and deputy speakers for three sessions of the parliament,” he said.