Thousands of farmers have been protesting at numerous borders of the national capital for more than a month demanding repeal of the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act.
Enacted in September 2020, the government has presented these laws as important farm reforms and aimed at escalating farmers’ earnings, but protesting farmers have raised issues that these legislations would weaken the MSP and mandi systems and leave them at the mercy of huge corporates.
The government has maintained these apprehensions are misplaced and has ruled out repealing the laws.
While quite a few opposition parties and men and women from other walks of life have come out in help of the farmers, some farmer groups have also met Agriculture Minister Tomar more than the final couple of weeks to extend their help for the 3 laws.