Lok Sabha passes two agriculture sector bills, PM Modi calls it ‘historic’

The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed two bills related to the agriculture sector amid protests by the Opposition and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), a constituent of the ruling NDA. The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill were passed by voice vote.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, lauding the decision, said “the passing of the historic agriculture reform bills in Lok Sabha is an important moment for the farmers and agricultural sector of the country.”

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“The bills will liberate the farmers from middlemen and other obstacles,” PM Modi tweeted in Hindi.

“I assure the farmers that the system of MSP (Minimum Support Price) and government procurement will remain. The bills will provide opportunities to the farmers and empower them in true sense,” PM Modi further added. 

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar slammed the Congress for opposing the bills. “Congress has always mentioned such reforms in its election manifesto but never had the courage to pursue them. Modi ji has liberated the farmers, I congratulate everyone for this,” Tomar told news agency ANI.

As the bills were passed in the Lok Sabha, the Congress, DMK and Revolutionary Socialist Party members staged a walkout.

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Another bill related to the farm sector, the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, was passed on Tuesday.

These three bills will replace ordinances promulgated by the government earlier.