Bengaluru, Nov 19 (UNI) Welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi government's decision to repeal the three farm laws, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday said it is not bowing down to the demands of the Congress, because the Modi government tried to implement the same laws that the Congress wanted to bring during the UPA's rule.
Referring to the Agricultural Produce Inter-State Trade and Commerce Bill drafted by UPA government aimed at giving freedom of choice to farmers and traders to sell and purchase farmers' produce, Bommai said the bill was pending during the UPA government and the Modi government tried to carry it forward with good intentions, hinting that the Congress opposed laws which it had pushed for when in power.
"So, it is not a question of bowing. The UPA government had started the process of liberalisation and globalisation in 1991-91, and accordingly various laws were formulated by the UPA government. It also had taken several steps for barrier-free markets for farmers. The UPA government had also signed an agreement with the WTO. Agriculture Reforms and the Agriculture Marketing Reforms were also part of it," he said.
However, PM Modi tried to convince the farmer leaders on the three farm laws, but farmers from Punjab, Haryana and a few other states insisted for a regulated market system and held protests for one year, Bommai said.
The announcement of PM Modi to withdraw the three laws in the upcoming parliament session showed the sensitivity of the central government by responding to the farmers' demand, he said.
Asked if this decision will affect the poll prospects of BJP in coming elections, Bommai said it won't because the party has been winning elections amidst protests. "PM Modi felt withdrawing the farm laws would entrust faith in the central government and time for discussions on the issue," he said.
PM Modi earlier in the day announced repealing of the three contentious laws on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the first Sikh Guru Nanak Dev (552nd Prakash Parva). The farmers were holding protests at Delhi borders for nearly a year demanding rollback of the farm laws.
The three laws are: The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act.
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