Farm bills passed in haste,without due diligence,deliberations and without taking the stakeholders on board, are unforgivable sins in a democracy. The ten trade unions namely : NTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC have have extended their support to a nationwide agitation called by the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee against the alleged “anti-people, anti-farmer destructive legislations pushed through by central government. This could lead to continuous turmoil at present juncture ,when the country is facing heightened threat perception from hostile neighbours.
Punjab and neighbouring Haryana fear that if big institutions start purchasing directly from the farmers, the state governments will lose out on the tax that these buyers have to pay at wholesale markets(Mandi tax). Some experts argue that agents, who form the backbone of wholesale markets, would lose their income if large buyers start buying direct from farmers.These concerns must have been addressed before rushing through legislations reducing democracy to a Number game. There is no room for " Royal obstinacy" in a democracy. Consultative approach is the key to success.
A K Saxena ( A former civil servant)
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