Amid the Opposition BJP’s boycott of the House proceedings over the suspension of 12 of its MLAs, the Shiv Sena-led MVA government on Tuesday introduced three new bills in the State Assembly relating to Agriculture, Co-operation and Food & Civil Supplies, in an effort to counter the Centre’s controversial farm legislations.
The three bills that were introduced in the State Assembly related to Essential commodities (amendment), farmers (empowerment and protection), Guarantee price, Agriculture related agreements (Maharashtra amendment) and amendments to Central Government’ farmer produce trade and commerce (promotion and facilitation).
The three bills have been prepared by a cabinet sub committee headed by Deputy Chief Mminister Ajit Pawar.
Having placed the three bills in public domain for the next two months, the State Government has sought suggestions and objections to the new legislations.
Speaking after the introduction of the bills, State Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat of the Congress said that the State Government had right to make laws “We want to suggest amendments to the central agriculture laws which we feel are anti-farmer. Several provisions of the central acts encroach on the rights of the State Governments. He said the Central acts were passed without discussion in Parliament,” Thorat said.
Pawar said the draft bills would be in public domain for two months during which all stake holders could hold discussions on the provisions of the draft laws. “The bills will be taken up for discussion and finalisation during the winter session at Nagpur, he said.
State Agriculture Minister Dada Bhuse said the trade agreement would be considered invalid if the price was not more than the Minimum Support Price (MSPP. “If the farmer is not paid in seven days for his produce, the farm bill provides for lodging of criminal offence against the erring produce buyer. The offence stipulates three years’ imprisonment and `five lakh as penalty,” Bhuse said
Co-operation Minister Balasaheb Patil said in the central act, there was no control over trader in case of default of payment to farmer for the agriculture produce. While for dispute resolution mechanism, the sub divisional magistrate is the competent authority and collector is appellate authority to resolve dispute between farmers and traders. Considering the work load on these revenue authorities, it may not be possible for them to give sufficient time for resolution of disputes within stipulated time.
Food and civil supplies Chhagan Bhujbal said in the central Essential commodities act 1955 which has been amended by the centre, there was no provision for the state government to regulate or prohibit production, supply, distribution and imposition of stock limits under extraordinary circumstances, which may include famine ,price rise, natural calamity.
Bhujbal said the state government proposed to amend the act in its application to the state of Maharashtra and take the power with the state to regulate and prohibit production, supply, distribution and ,imposition of stock limits.