During his address to the nation today, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the government has decided to repeal the three controversial farmers’ laws passed last September. He said that the laws would be taken back during the Parliament’s session that is set to begin later this month.
Speaking about the decision, he said, “I apologise to India and with true and pure heart that may be... we were not able to convince farmers [over the farm laws]. I’m here to declare that we have decided to repeal the three farm laws...We will complete all the formalities during [the] Parliament session that begins this month.”
The laws were passed in September last year. Since then, the farmers have been protesting and calling for the complete repeal of the laws. Previously, the government agreed to suspend the laws and negotiate with farmers’ unions. However, the Samyukta Kisan Morch, an umbrella organisation of over 40 farmers’ unions, have stood their ground and continued to call for the complete repeal of the laws through several rounds of negotiations.
The agricultural reform bills that have led to this nationwide agitation—The Farmers’ Produce Trade And Commerce (Promotion And Facilitation) Bill, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill—have been criticised for being too liberalised and for assuming that the current structure is devoid of private entities. Farmers fear that changes to the crucial minimum support price clause, coupled with the ease of business for corporate entities, will further complicate their lives, as they already struggle to sell their produce. Further, the laws have been slammed for being opaque and providing no redressal mechanisms or sureties to farmers, with the government essentially stepping back from its role as a guarantor in a free market system.
Also read: The Farm Bills: Another Nail in the Coffin for Indian Federalism
During Friday’s address, Narendra Modi also urged the farmers that continue to protest at the borders of New Delhi “to return home to their families” and “start afresh.”
He further reiterated his commitment to farmers as a whole, who comprise around 50% of India’s workforce. He highlighted that the government had worked to provide seeds at reasonable rates, facilitate micro-irrigation, and distribute 22 crore soil health cards, all of which aim to increase the productivity of agriculture. Further, he also reminded that the government had “strengthened Fasal Bima Yojana” to widen its coverage. In addition, he said that his administration had “strengthened the rural infrastructure market,” “increased MSP,” and also “set up government procurement centres.”
The announcement coincides with Guru Purab, a festival celebrated mainly in Punjab, which is set to face elections in the coming months. Furthermore, Uttar Pradesh, too, is scheduled to conduct its elections during the same time. Both these states have a significant population that relies on agriculture-related work. Hence, Friday’s decision deprives the Opposition leaders of a critical talking point for their election rallies in the states.
Also read: Too Many Farmers: The Need to Shift India’s Labour Market Away from Agriculture