Former Deputy Speaker of Odisha Assembly and advisor to OSAM Board Rama Chandra Panda has said the Union Government appeared to be in a hurry to pass the farm Bills by ignoring the Opposition’s demand for a vote on the issue.
There should have been prior discussions with States and political parties before placing the Bills for Parliament's approval which could have avoided the ongoing mistrust and controversy surrounding the laws, opined Panda.
"The farmers are apprehensive that, the new laws would weaken the existing RMC and Mandi infrastructure available in various districts close to farm gates. Nearly 60 percent of farmers of our country are poor and small farmers and they apprehend that the entry of capitalist market in farm trade would push them to various difficulties," told Panda.
The Centre would do better to create a chain of cold storages for preservation of vegetables during peak season, he added.