Farmers bills: BJP supports, Cong opposes

September 22, 2020 51 Views No Comment

Correspondent KOHIMA, SEP 21 (NPN): While the Centre has been facing strong criticism from the opposition parties over the three farms bills, the BJP Nagaland state unit president and minister, Temjen Imna Along, Monday accused the opposition parties of spreading propaganda and lies about the bills and affirmed that the BJP Nagaland endorsed the bills in toto.

On the other hand, NPCC president K.Therie has opposed the bills saying they were taking the nation towards capitalism.

Addressing a press conference at his official residence here Monday, state BJP president and minister H & Tech Education and Tribal Affairs Temjen Imna Along maintained that the central government led by the Prime Minister has ensured that the three bills empowered the farmers and provide them protection.

Along said earlier mandis used to buy the farmers produce leading to delay in payment and uncertainty in prices. However, with the passage of the bills, that ministry of agriculture would fix the prices beforehand so the farmers could decide whether they would sell their produce at the mandis or outside the mandis where they get better price.

He reiterated that farmers rights and their lands were ensured as no form of agreement with any of the private sector would be allowed towards the land but only on the crops. He said that in case of any dispute, the settlement would be resolved at local level within 30 days.

He said any agreement done with the sponsor of the crops cannot be a failure since, in case sponsor defaults on payment, then a penalty of 150% of the amount due can be imposed on the sponsor and would be payable to the farmer over and above the original due amount.

He also said the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) was doing well and has not been removed from the bill. Along said farmers are given the opportunity to sell beyond the mandis so their products could be sold not only in the state but intra-state or beyond the country.

Maintaining that Nagaland can envision producing cash crops and also get market connectivity, he said farmers needed to be educated on the policies and schemes of the government to be paid in a better way.

NPCC Opposes: Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) president K Therie said the party opposes the bills as this would taken the nation towards capitalism.

Speaking to Nagaland Post, Therie said that the Bills that were passed even without discussion was unfair. Therie said that the Minimum Support Prices was not withdrawn but also not guaranteed.

He said the Bills would enable the corporate houses to exploit the farmers as these would help the corporate houses acquire the agri products. In line with the nationwide protest called by the AICC over passage of the bills, Therie informed that a meeting is to be held on September 22, 2020 with opposition parties to protest against the bills.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/farmers-bills-bjp-supports-cong-opposes/222163.html