In a move to counter the three new farm laws passed by the Union government, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra Government introduced three amendment Bills -- agriculture, co-operation, food and civil supplies -- in the state legislature on Tuesday, July 6.
The bill to amend Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Service Act, 2020 was presented by State’s Agriculture Minister Dadaji Bhuse. He said that a farming agreement shall not be valid unless the price paid to the farmer is equal to or greater than the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
The bills have provisions for higher than MSP rate for produce in farming agreement with traders, timely payment of dues, three-year jail term and INR 5 lakhs fine or both for harassment of farmers.
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They also have provisions to give power to the state government to regulate and prohibit production, supply, distribution and impose stock limits on essential commodities.
Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat said the central farm acts were passed without discussion and several of their provisions encroach on the rights of state governments. The state government has the right to make laws and we want to suggest amendments to the central agriculture laws which are anti-farmer, he said.
The bills which have been placed in the public domain for two months for suggestions and objections are -- Essential Commodities (Amendment), Farmers (Empowerment and Protection), Guarantee Price; Agriculture Related Agreements (Maharashtra Amendment) and Amendments to Central Government Farmer Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation).
The draft bills have been prepared by a cabinet sub-committee headed by deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. Pawar said the draft bills will be in the public domain for two months during which all stakeholders can hold discussions and debates on their provisions.
Later, the bills will be taken up for discussion and passage during the winter session of the legislature in Nagpur (held in December).
Also Read: Set up agriculture courts: Farmer leaders tell Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray
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