President gives assent to Farm Laws Repeal Act 2021

New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday gave his assent to the Farm Laws Repeal Act 2021 that was passed by both houses of Parliament by voice vote on Monday.

First, the Lok Sabha and then the Rajya Sabha passed The Farm Laws Repeal Bill 2021 by voice vote sans a debate amid heavy sloganeering by the opposition that wanted a discussion on the issue. In both the houses, the Bill was passed within minutes of introduction by the government.

The three bills that Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced to repeal on November 19 are: Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2020.

Meanwhile, after reports emerged that 32 farmers groups want to wind up the agitation as their major demand has been met, Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait stated that the farmers will continue their agitation and will not return home until all their demands are met. The farmer leader alleged that the government is spreading rumours to divide farmers.

He also informed that the future course of agitation will be decided in the meeting of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) to be held on December 4. He urged the farmers to remain united with the SKM and not issue any statement without the organisation's approval.

Tikait accused the government of not wanting to hold talks with the farmers.

Asked if it is not blackmail not to end the agitation when the government has repealed the three contentious farm laws, he said there are other issues which need to be discussed. Tikait urged the government to take back all cases filed against the farmers during the agitation.

"Farmers have lost 150 tractors during the stir. Can such a strong Prime Minister not provide new tractors to the farmers who have lost them. When Narayan Datt Tiwari was the (UP) Chief Minister he had compensated to the farmers who had accrued losses during the Muzaffarnagar agitation. When Congress can do it, why not BJP?" he asked.

"Let the Prime Minister say that the government can't compensate the losses, go the Congress if you want," he added.

Farmers across the country under the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) banner had been agitating since last one year demanding repeal of the three farm laws and legalising minimum support price (MSP) among other issues.