Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Friday passed a resolution “by majority” rejecting the Centre’s farm ordinances and proposed electricity bill, while demanding its withdrawal.
Moving the resolution during the one-day session amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh said that the Punjab State Legislative Assembly is seriously concerned about the apprehensions and anguished caused by the three Ordinances — namely ‘The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance, 2020’; ‘The Farmers’ (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Ordinance, 2020’; and ‘The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020,’ promulgated by the Central Government; and the proposed ‘Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2020’, amongst the people of Punjab, particularly the farmers and landless workers as “these are not only against their interest, and time-tested agriculture marketing system established in the State, but are also against the Constitution of India”.
Terming the ordinances on farming reforms as anti-farmers and against the MSP regime which is the lifeline of Punjab farmers, the Chief Minister pointed that Entry 14 of List II of the Constitution comprises agriculture as the subject of the States, therefore these Ordinances are a direct encroachment upon the functions of the States and against the spirit of cooperative federalism enshrined in the Constitution and will promote distress sale.
“This House, thus, urges upon the Union Government to withdraw these ordinances and the proposed Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2020, forthwith; and instead, promulgate a fresh ordinance making the procurement of foodgrains and other agricultural produce at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), a statutory right of the farmers and continuation of Government procurement through Food Corporation of India,” read the resolution, which was passed by majority via voice vote.
The resolution, thus passed by the House, would now be sent to the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. “This is the second time that the precious resources of Punjab are being encroached upon, the first time being in 2004 when the Vidhan Sabha cancelled the river water sharing agreement and saved the State and its agrarian economy from certain doom,” said the Chief Minister adding that the resolution would be sent to both the Houses of Parliament to convey Punjab’s vehement remonstration.
While the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Lok Insaaf Party (LIP) MLAs vociferously supported the resolution against the ordinances, the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) MLA backed the ordinances and rejected the resolution.
The Chief Minister, advancing his argument further, said that these ordinances are anti-Punjab and anti-farmer and would again descend into chaos filled era of the 80s which the State, being a border state, can ill afford as Pakistan is waiting in the wings to derive advantage from the chaotic situation to create mayhem in the country.
Pointing out that the price support and maintenance mechanisms are necessary for MSP and ensuring National Food Security, the Chief Minister said that these ordinances would spell economic ruin for the farming sector of Punjab especially those 70 percent having less than five acres.
Commenting upon the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) for not being present in the Vidhan Sabha, the Chief Minister said that the party which brought Sri Anandpur Sahib resolution, knowingly absented itself from the session on such a significant occasion. “Who would believe guarantee given by SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal who had asserted that the ordinances won’t spell harm for the farm sector of Punjab,” he said.
Making an emotive appeal to all the predominantly agriculture based states, especially Haryana, the Chief Minister exhorted them to come forward on opposing the farm ordinances by rising above and beyond the party lines.
Targeting the Akali Dal, AAP MLA Kultar Singh Sandhwan said that they should ensure that the clause of MSP would remain in new ordinances. He also pointed out that Akalis were misguiding the farmers on the issue.
Supporting the resolution against the ordinances, AAP’s rebel MLA Kanwar Sandhu said that instead of the ordinances, the centre should have brought a Bill and all the affected states should be taken into confidence.
However, BJP MLA Dinesh Singh Babbu, supported the ordinances, maintaining that there was no clause of stopping the MSP and farmers were being mislead.
HOUSE REMEMBERS 28 PERSONALITIES INCLUDING GALWAN MARTYRS, UNSUNG COVID WARRIORS
Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Friday paid tributes to 28 eminent personalities including the Galwan Valley martyrs along with the unsung COVID-19 warriors.
The House, during the special one-day session held amidst COVID-19 scare, paid respects to the state Finance Minister Manpreet Badal’s parents — former MP Gurdas Singh Badal and Harminder Kaur — who passed away in May and March, respectively.
The legendary Hockey Olympian Balbir Singh Senior and Hazoori Ragi Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa, along with Galwan valley martyrs Naib Subedar Mandeep Singh, Naib Subedar Satnam Singh, Naik Rajesh Kumar, Naik Rajwinder Singh, Naik Salim Khan, Naik Gurcharan Singh, Sepoy Gurbinder Singh, Sepoy Lakhvir Singh and Sepoy Gurtej Singh, were also paid rich tributes by the Speaker on behalf of the House.
Besides, the former MLA Chatin Singh Samao, former Minister Hari Singh Zira, and Justice (retired) Satpal Bangar were also remembered by the members of the House.
The House also remembered freedom fighters Sucha Singh, Piara Singh, Takht Singh, Ajit Singh, Variam Singh, Santokh Singh and Dalip Singh, besides paying tributes to artist Satish Gujral and Engineer Jaswant Singh Gill. The House also remembered religious leader Acharya Mahapragya and Surinder Dogra (mother of MLA Arun Dogra).
The House also paid homage to the COVID victims who had fell prey to the pandemic. On the request of the Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu, the Frontline COVID Warriors, who had sacrificed their lives combating the pandemic while going beyond the call of their duty, were also added in the list.
On the request of AAP MLA Kultar Singh Sandhwan, the name of Litterateur Baldev Singh was also added to the obituary list.