It is a controversial cum significant day in Lok Sabha as three agricultural bills passed in parliament on 18th of September, 2020.
The Bills are –
- The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill 2020
- Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020
- Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill
On 15-09-2020, union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar moved the bill in the lower house. After that, the bills tabled in Rajya Sabha.
New update
The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill 2020 and Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 later passed in the Rajya Sabha on 20th September, 2020 amid protest by oppositions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the bills as the “watershed moment” for Indian agriculture.
Cabinet Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal resigns from her position opposing the newly passed bills.
Former minister of food processing industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal tendered her resignation from the Cabinet on 17-09-2020 in protest of legislation seeking to liberalize agricultural markets.
Advised by the Prime Minister, President Ram Nath Kovind has directed that Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Cabinet Minister, be assigned the Ministry of Food Processing Industries and his existing portfolios.