nThe Central government has brought the three pro-farmer laws to protect their rights and these are based on issues being raised for years, Union Minister of State in Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan said on Wednesday.
These issues have figured in the election manifestoes of both the Congress and the BJP, the Minister told the media.
The Mandi Act and the Minimum Support Price (MSP) will remain, he said, adding that the whole system of agro-market has been made more competitive. A spanner has been put on the Inspector Raj, he added.
The Congress, which has been opposing these bills, should first deny that these issues were not in their election manifesto. Based on Concurrent List, the laws have been made, he added.
To a query of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel demanding MSP, Dr Balyan said that state governments procure paddy and wheat utilizing the central government funds, released for procurement under Public Distribution System (PDS).
MSP for 22 other agriculture products is also declared. If they are seriously concerned about farmers, let the state government take the initiative and procure the these crops also. The Centre would be ready to assist if a request is made.
Blaming the Centre for everything may be a political issue but will do no good to the farmers, the Minister said.
On value-addition through processing, he said law ensures that the industrialists cannot reject the produce of farmers citing quality, like earlier. Now, the Sub Divisional Magistrate is empowered to take action on it if a farmer makes a complaint.