The resolution of the agitation over the new agricultural market reform laws has become long-drawn and vexed due to various reasons. The government claims the Acts would benefit farmers; the latter disagree. However, the Centre has now recognised problems in the Acts’ design, especially the APMC mandi bypass law and the contract farming law. It is open to amending them. The farmer unions are demanding a complete repeal of the three Acts. Some of them also feel that there is a larger issue of violation of the Constitution, as agriculture and agricultural markets are state domains. Therefore, it is important to examine the withdrawal of these legislation or amendments to the existing Acts.
In the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (APMC bypass) Act, the major provisions which are up for amendment include those relating to the need of only a PAN card for a buyer, restriction on farmers and buyers for approaching civil courts for disputes if not satisfied with dispute resolution at the SDM and DC level, and restriction on the state from levying taxes on...
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