Reiterating the AIADMK’s support to the three farm Bills, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Tuesday said the proposed legislation were beneficial to farmers.
He said DMK president M.K. Stalin was opposing the Bills out of ignorance.
“Since Mr. Stalin does not know these features, he is opposing them. As a farmer, I have realised the benefits,” he told reporters in Madurai, elucidating the “beneficial factors” of the Bills.
Asked about Mr. Stalin’s statement that the Chief Minister should not call himself a farmer any more, having voted for the Bills, Mr. Palaniswami shot back: “He is not a farmer. He does not know anything about agriculture. I am proud to call myself a farmer. My family has been involved in agriculture for long. It would be advisable for Mr. Stalin to remain calm.”
He defended the Bills earlier in the day in Ramanathapuram, saying the AIADMK voted in their favour as they were beneficial to farmers, and the party always stood by farmers and the downtrodden. The party has sought an explanation from Rajya Sabha member S.R. Balasubramoniyan, who criticised provisions of the Bill, he said.
The Chief Minister said the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, was on the lines of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural Produce and Livestock Contract Farming and Services (Promotion and Facilitation) Act of 2019. Only farmers who “volunteer” to do contract farming will be encouraged.
Protecting farmers
“Farmers will be protected from price drops and will get a share of the profit if the price goes up,” he said. “Since the availability of quality farm goods, on time, is ensured, it will help the food processing industry, and, thereby, the wastage of perishable goods will be avoided,” he said.
Besides, the development of the food processing industry would generate rural jobs. He allayed fears that corporates would eventually take over farmlands. “This is like cane being supplied to sugar factories,” he said.
The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, he said, would lead to lesser transaction costs. “Since procurement is done on the farms, the farmers are spared of transportation and loading costs,” he added.
The legislation was not against Uzhavar Sandhais, he added. “With the Uzhavan app already in use, farmers can find the best price for their produce across the country, sell them at the best price and benefit from it,” he said.
Farmers in Punjab were “misled” and were hence protesting against the Bill, he said.
“In Tamil Nadu, all the 282 regulated markets will be developed further and will continue to benefit the farmers,” he added. The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020, has conditions to regulate stocks during emergencies, he said.
Avoiding a direct answer to a query on whether the AIADMK would support Sasikala, the jailed aide of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa upon her release or align with her, Mr. Palaniswami said he had come here to review the COVID-19 situation, and, hence, would not like to answer the question.
DMK MP’s charge
The Chief Minister also denied DMK Vellore MP Kathir Anand’s charge that he had been threatened by intelligence sleuths in New Delhi.
“Are the DMK men vulnerable to threats? When even an ordinary DMK cadre cannot be threatened, can anyone threaten [DMK general secretary] M. Duraimurugan’s son?” he asked. The Chief Minister alleged that DMK functionaries were trying to spread rumours.