Explained: Farm Laws Repeal Bill 2021
On 29th November this year, the Lok Sabha, the House of the People in the Indian Parliament, passed the Farm Laws Repeal Bill 2021. Done without any prior intimation, it aims at repealing three union farm laws. The Bill was introduced by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
Farm Laws Repeal Bill 2021: What does it mean?
Just 10 days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared his government’s motive to repeal farm laws, Farm Laws Repeal Bill 2021 (a six-page bill containing only three sections) was passed in the lower house of the Parliament. In fact, the Union Cabinet had approved the draft of the bill before it was introduced in the Lok Sabha. Now that bill has been produced in the House of the People, it will go to the Rajya Sabha.
The three farm laws revoked as part of the Farm Laws Repeal Bill 2021 are: Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act (2020), Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act (2020), and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act (2020). The government also intends to amend the Essential Commodities Act of 1955 by leaving out its sub-section 1A under section 3. It means that the government will no longer be able to control the production, supply and distribution of essential food commodities.
What is the reason behind the repealing of farm laws?
According to government reports, farm laws have been repealed keeping in mind the growth and development of the nation as a whole. Previously, during the pandemic period, the farmers were given certain liberty that led to increased production and fulfilment of the nation’s need. However, with the nation getting back to normalcy and economy on the way to recovery, the formerly accepted farm laws no longer serve the purpose, which is why they have been proposed to be repealed. According to government officials, it is the government’s way of showing solidarity towards the farmers by retaining the pre-pandemic mechanisms available to them. It also paves ways for them to continue with fair trade practices where farmers can determine prices of their own production without any interference from the government.
What was the lasting period of the farm laws?
The farm laws were introduced on 5th June 2020 by the President of India when he made them public ordinances. Later in September 2020, they were properly legislated. However, they were not implemented until 12th January 2021. So, they were actually in effect for less than a year, 221 days to be exact.