Opp backs Bill but protests no debate on it
The Winter Session of Parliament began on Monday with the repeal of the three controversial agriculture-related Bills with the passing of the Farm Laws Repeal Bill 2021 without any debate or discussion.
The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha passed the repeal Bills amid ruckus and protests by the Opposition for a debate on the issue. The rejection of the demand by the Government saw angry protest by the Opposition members, who unanimously backed the repeal Bill.
“During the Covid period, the farmers have worked hard to increase production and fulfil the needs of the nation. As we celebrate the 75th Year of Independence, ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, the need of the hour is to take everyone together on the path of inclusive growth and development,” the repeal Bill said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on November 19 announced the decision to repeal the laws — the biggest policy rollback since he led the BJP to power in 2014.
The laws have been repealed just before Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, where it was feared that farmers’ protests may dent prospects of the BJP.
Amid the noisy scenes, the Bill to repeal the three farm laws against which farmers have been protesting for over a year was passed within minutes of its introduction.
In the Lok Sabha, the repeal Bill was tabled by Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar amid protest by the Opposition over the manner of the passing of the Bill without a discussion. The Opposition members said the Government has “thrown to the wind” parliamentary norms.
The Bill was then introduced in the Rajya Sabha where it was again approved by voice vote. The whole exercise was completed within less than an hour in the two Houses.
The Bill now awaits the assent of President Ram Nath Kovind for the formal withdrawal of the three contentious laws.
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said “there is no need for a discussion” as the Opposition parties had been seeking repeal of the laws and the Government was now doing it. In both Houses, Opposition parties led by the Congress demanded a discussion over the repeal Bill but couldn’t get it initiated.
The repeal of the farm laws notwithstanding, the agitating farmers have continued to demand that the Government brings a law in this very session to give legal guarantee to Minimum Support Price (MSP) for 23 agriculture produce and adequate compensation to those “martyred” during the ongoing farm protests..
The Government is understood to have been “considering” the farmers demand on the MSP and has roped in former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh for the “mediation”, sources said.
Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury asked “why the Government was shying away from a discussion on the Bill”, when the Opposition was supporting them.
Chowdhury said in the past 14 Bills were repealed after discussion and same should be done with this Bill.
Speaker Om Birla said he was “ready for conducting a full -fledged discussion” provided proper order is restored in the House and the Opposition members go back to their seats. The slogan-shouting continued in the House.
The Lok Sabha was first adjourned by the Speaker within 12 minutes of proceedings untill 1200 hrs after obituary references to ex-members, including late Kalyan Singh and Oscar Fernandez, and thereafter the House proceedings lasted for 10 minutes that involved passing of the farm repeal Bill.
The Speaker adjourned the House till 2 pm and when it resumed the Chair adjourned it for the day within minutes.
The Repeal Bill passed by the Parliament annulled the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmer’s (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance, Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.
n Rajya Sabha, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu rejected notices given by the Congress and other Opposition MPs under rule 267 seeking setting aside of the business to discuss farmer issues and adjourned proceedings briefly as Opposition members persisted with their demand.
But this was not before the House was informed of the passage of the repeal bill by the Lok Sabha and a copy of it being laid on the table of the House.
When the Upper House assembled, Tomar introduced The Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021.
Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge said the Government was forced to take back the three farm bills after suffering setbacks in the recent by-polls and fearing its fallout on BJP’s electoral prospects in the ensuing elections in five States.
He said over 700 farmers lost their lives during the protests over the farm bills in the last year. But his speech was cut short for exceeding his allotted two minutes time by Deputy Chairman Harivansh who then gave the floor to Tomar.
The Minister said the Government could not convince the agitating farmers about the benefits of the three laws. He also attacked the Congress for adopting “double standard” on the laws, as its own election manifesto talked about the need for reforms in the farm sector.