Despite President Ram Nath Kovind having given his nod for the three Farm Bills to become laws, farmers and Opposition parties have continued to protest against the contentious new laws.
On Monday, a Congress MP from Kerala moved the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of one of the Acts. Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has also said that the Punjab government will approach the apex court over the issue.
Thrissur Lok Sabha MP TN Prathapan has submitted that the Farmers’ (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, is violative of Article 14 (right to equality), 15 (prohibition of discrimination) and 21 (right to life and liberty) of the Constitution.
His argument is that the new law is “liable to be struck down as unconstitutional, illegal and void”.
“Indian agriculture is characterised by fragmentation due to small holdings and has certain inherent weaknesses beyond control such as dependence on weather, uncertainties in production and an unpredictable market. This makes agriculture risky and inefficient in respect of both input and output management,” Prathapan has said in his plea.
The government’s contention has been that the new law will provide a national framework for the farming agreements to protect and empower farmers, giving them a chance to sell their produce at a remunerative price in a fair and transparent manner.
Pnjab CM Captain Amarinder said: “I have said we will take this matter forward. The president has passed these bills and now we will take this matter to the Supreme Court,” PTI quoted him as saying.
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