Punjab on Tuesday became the first state in the country to formally reject the Centre’s farm laws, with the state Assembly unanimously passing a resolution rejecting the related legislation as well as proposed Electricity Amendment Bill. It also sought their immediate annulment along with a new ordinance to protect MSP and ensure a continuance of procurement by the Government of India.
The House also passed three farm amendment bills, along with the CPC amendment, moved by the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. These bills provide for imprisonment of not less than three years and fine for sale/purchase of wheat or paddy below MSP, exemption of farmers from the attachment of land up to 2.5 acres and prevention of hoarding and black-marketing of agricultural produce, among other things.
All MLAs unanimously voted in favour of the resolution and the bills, while two BJP members were not present on the occasion in House. CM later led the MLAs of all parties except BJP to the Punjab Raj Bhawan and submitted the copies of resolution and bills passed by the House to Governor VP Singh Badnore.
Leader of opposition Harpal Singh Cheema, leader of SAD legislative party Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, LIP MLA Simarjit Singh Bains, PPCC president Sunil Jakhar, Punjab ministers and other MLAs accompanied the CM.
After the meeting, addressing media outside Punjab Raj Bhawan, Captain Amarinder Singh expressed optimism that the Governor will listen to the voice of Punjab but said his government was all set to take legal recourse if VP Singh Badnore does not sign the amendment bills passed in the Vidhan Sabha.
The Chief Minister also said that he had sought time from President Ram Nath Govind, between 2 and 5 November, and all Punjab legislators will together visit him to seek his intervention in the interest of the state. He did not think the Centre could afford to ignore Punjab’s voice.
Punjab’s future and national security are both at stake, he said and added that the coming together of all parties to fight for the same is a good thing for the state. Expressing his gratitude, the Chief Minister asserted the message that all of Punjab is united against the Farm Laws will go out to farmers across the country.
Asked about the possibility of the Centre imposing President’s rule in the state, Captain Amarinder said: “let’s wait and see…we will move step by step.” However, if this situation comes, the Centre would not need to dismiss him as he is carrying his resignation in his pocket and would give it willingly, rather than compromising on the interests of Punjab and its farmers.
Referring to the absence of the two BJP MLAs, the Chief Minister said that this showed their lack of concern and love for the farmers.
He appealed to the farmers to call off their Rail Roko agitation and carry out their protests through dharnas, which was their democratic right.