Lot had been written about it now. And agitations abound, across the nation. If it was a simple matter to oppose, the noises would have died down by now. But, why is the fight spreading and why the highest of courts is approached against its implementation?
Touted as the mother of all reforms in agriculture, it is supposed to be LPG of agricultural economy. Funnily this is exactly what both the BJP and the Congress promised in its election manifesto, in 2019. So why should it be viewed so negatively by Indian farmers, and that forced Akali Dal to come out of the ruling NDA alliance?
First, of course, is the resistance to change. And the fear, uncertainties and doubts about the bill’s proper implementation. The well rooted APMC system in the big agriculture states like Punjab, Haryana, UP and MP Is made redundant now with the bills. These states, who used to collect mandi taxes to the tune of 3-5000 crores per annum that enabled them to give free electricity and water to the farmers, are losing it (and if that happens, there would start another huge agitation). And above all, agriculture is considered as a concurrent subject in our constitution, of the federal structure of the country, is now taken over by the centre! So, there is politics in it too.
Middlemen, mandi & state aside, farmers truly worry that the centre is taking away the minimum selling price protection and feel that a liberated market for agricultural produces will be taken over by the corporates who will push down the prices, bringing financial troubles to farmers.
There are exponents speaking in favour of both sides. So, it is very difficult to arrive at what will happen post its implementation. But if demonetisation of currency by the government is any indication, then there is some reason behind the farmers worrying.
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