Punjab Netas Amarinder, Sidhu Welcome Modi’s Move On Farm Laws

CHANDIGARH: On the occasion of Guru Parv and just before Punjab Assembly elections, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced repealing of three contentious farm laws.

“We have decided to repeal three farm laws. We will finish the constitutional process to repeal the law in upcoming Parliament session”, Prime Minister Modi said in a special address to the nation on the day of Guru Nanak Jayanti.

Modi also said that the government always stood with the farmers.

We tried our best to explain to the farmers about three farm laws. And the government was also ready to modify the laws. The matter reached the Supreme Court as well. Now the government has decided to repeal the three farm laws. I would like to request the farmers to end their protest

Meanwhile, the decision was welcomed by various Punjab leaders who either tweeted or recorded their reactions on their social media platforms.

Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu tweeted that “Repealing of black laws a step in the right direction. Satyagrah of Kisan morcha gets historic success. You’re sacrifice has paid dividends. Revival of farming in Punjab through a road map should be the top priority for the Pb govt. accolades.”

The former chief minister of Punjab Capt Amarinder Singh wrote that “Great news! Thankful to PM @narendramodi ji for acceding to the demands of every punjabi & repealing the 3 black laws on the pious occasion of GuruNanakJayanti. I am sure the central govt will continue to work in tandem for the development of Kisani!”

The three contentious farm laws -Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; (2) Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020; and (3)Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 – enacted by the Parliament in September 2020, have been stoutly opposed by several farmers organizations. Several farmers groups across the nation have been holding widespread protests and agitations for over an year since the passing of these laws demanding that they be scrapped.

Even in January 2021, the Supreme Court had stayed the implementation of three farm laws and constituted a committee to hold talks with the various farmers unions. However, the leaders of the farmers unions boycotted the committee.

According to the farmers, more than 600 farmers have allegedly lost lives during the year long protest. The farmers were also lathicharged and tear gas shells were fired during the tractor rally called by the farmers on Republic Day in Delhi.