Indian farm reforms 2020: Difference between revisions

The Standing Committee on Agriculture (2018-19) found that the laws that regulated Indian agricultural markets (such as those related to [[Agricultural produce market committee|Agricultural produce market committees]]) were not being implemented fairly and honestly or serving their purpose. Centralization was reducing competition and accordingly participation, undue commissions, market fees and monopoly of associations was damaging the agricultural sector.<ref name=":0" /> In 2017 the centre had released model farming acts; however, the Standing Committee on Agriculture (2018-19) noted that a number of the reforms suggested in the model acts had not been implemented by the states. A committee consisting of seven [[Chief minister (India)|Chief Ministers]] was set up in July 2019 to discuss implementation.<ref name=":0" /> Accordingly, the centre promulgated three Ordinances in the first week of June 2020.<ref name=":0" />

Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] referred to the bills as a [[Tipping point (sociology)|watershed moment]] in the history of Indian agriculture that will empower crores of farmers.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-20|title=PM Modi calls passage of farm bills 'watershed moment' for agricultural sector|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/the-farm-bills-passed-in-parliament-will-not-only-bring-radical-changes-in-agriculture-sector-but-will-also-empower-farmers-tweets-pm-modi/story-Wsi1df81nxjXQFeAHXPVtI.html|access-date=2020-10-07|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>  The government maintains that these bills will make it effortless for farmers to sell their produce directly to big buyers. <ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" />  

Farmers called the bills corporate-friendly and anti-farmer.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-28|title=Congress asks party-ruled states to bring laws to negate Centre's agri legislations|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/congress-farm-bills-agriculture-laws-6620359/|access-date=2020-10-07|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> The bills have faced strong protests from some farmers and opposition parties (including [[Indian National Congress]], and [[Bahujan Samaj Party]]) and also a member party of the ruling [[National Democratic Alliance]] - the [[Shiromani Akali Dal]];<ref>{{cite web | last=India | first=Tribune | title=Youths go full throttle in protest against farm Bills | website=The Tribune | date=2020-09-26 | url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jalandhar/youths-go-full-throttle-in-protest-against-farm-bills-146831 | access-date=2020-10-12}}</ref> alleging that it will hurt the farmers' earnings. The government however maintains that they will make it effortless for farmers to sell their produce directly to big buyers.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-28|title=Farmers across India protest against farm bills. In photos|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/farmers-across-india-protest-against-farm-bills-in-photos/story-cQBssQF5wg7Cc5AhgJPxQM.html|access-date=2020-10-07|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|date=2020-09-28|title=PM Modi reaches out to farmers amid anger|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/modi-reaches-out-to-farmers-amid-anger/story-1MHpfr7HzKsR58EBVb00NP.html|access-date=2020-10-07|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|last=Mathur|first=Swati|date=|title=Farm bills 2020: President Kovind gives assent to controversial farm bills, laws come into force immediately|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/amid-intensifying-protests-president-kovind-gives-assent-to-controversial-farm-bills-laws-come-into-force-immediately/articleshow/78352115.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-10-07|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> One of the main causes of the opposition is the uncertainty surrounding how the reforms "will play out in reality".<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-09-23|title=Farm bills: Are India's new reforms a 'death warrant' for farmers?|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-54233080|access-date=2020-11-27}}</ref> Controversy surrounding [[Minimum support price (India)|minimum support prices]] (MSPs),  the affect on middlemen, loss of states' revenue and low bargaining power are some of the fears that have led to the opposition to the bills.<ref name=":3" />

The newly passed farm trade Bill has raised concerns that farmers may no longer be assured [[Minimum support price (India)|Minimum Support Price]] (MSP) for their crop.  However, the MSP has always been devoid of any legal backing and is part of administrative decision making. <ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-30|title=MSP for farmers: How is it fixed, and how binding is it?|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/what-is-the-basis-of-msp-6609668/|access-date=2020-12-01|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>