UPA govt supported reforms in APMC; then Agri Minister wrote to CMs for private sector participation

New Delhi: Several parties have decided to support the Bharat bandh called on December 8 in support of the farmers protesting against the Centre’s new agriculture laws. Farmers have been protesting at the borders of the national capital for the past eleven days now against the three farm laws.

In such a situation, 11 political parties including Aam Aadmi Party, Congress have come in support of farmers. Farmer leaders are trying to keep this whole movement separate from politics, but the way this movement is getting the support of political parties raises many questions.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief and former Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Sunday accused that the Centre passed the agricultural laws in haste and warned that if the situation is not resolved soon more farmers from across the country will join the protest.

But, if we go some years back to the history of the APMC act, we can see that Sharad Pawar who was then the Agriculture Minister advocated in the favour of the same law. A letter written by Sharad Pawar to the then Chief Minister of Delhi Sheila Dixit in 2010 about the APMC Act is now going viral. Pawar wrote a letter to Sheila Dixit asking advocating about the implementation of the APMC act.

Sharad Pawar wrote:

As you are aware, the agriculture sector needs well-functioning markets to drive growth, employment and economic prosperity in rural areas of the country. This requires huge investments in marketing infrastructure including cold chain. And for this, private sector participation is essential, for which an appropriate regulatory and policy environment needs to be in place.

Along with this, Sharad Pawar again wrote to Sheila Dixit in 2011 referring to the letter he wrote in 2010, ”You will undoubtedly agree that the agriculture sector needs well-functioning markets to drive inclusive growth, employment and economic prosperity in a rural area of the country. This requires investments in post-harvest and marketing infrastructure including cold-chain logistics from farm gate to the consumer. The Private sector needs to play an important role in this regard. An appropriate regulatory and policy environment, therefore, needs to be in place for the purpose.”

Congress, TRS, AAP, left parties extend support for Bharat Bandh on 8 Dec

TRS to support Bharat bandh

Opposing the new farm laws, the TRS leader, who is the daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, said that the minimum support price (MSP) has not been assured in the legislation. She claimed that farmer is insecure because if mandi structure is dismantled there is no alternative structure in this country.

Congress decides to support Bharat bandh

Speaking at a press conference, party spokesperson Pawan Khera said, “Congress party has decided to support the Bharat bandh on December 8. We will be demonstrating the same at our party offices. It will be a step towards strengthening Rahul Gandhi’s support to the farmers. We will ensure that the demonstration is successful.”

AAP to support Bharat Bandh

Delhi Minister Gopal Rai on Sunday announced that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has decided to support the farmers-led Bharat Bandh slated to take place on December 8. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has urged his party officials and workers to support the bandh.

“Aam Aadmi Party’s convenor and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Ji has urged party officials and workers to support farmers-led Bharat Bandh on December 8. Ours is an agrarian country, I would also urge the people to show their support as well,” Gopal Rai tweeted.