Kerala passes resolution against farm laws

The Kerala Assembly on December 31 passed a resolution against the farm laws cleared by Parliament in September. The resolution was tabled by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who said that the three laws “will only help big corporate houses”.

"At a time when the agricultural sector is facing a major crisis, the central government has introduced and passed three new laws in Parliament that will have a major impact on the agricultural sector," Kerala CM said

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan presented the resolution in the House which convened for a special session to discuss the laws.

“The laws lack provisions for ensuring the protection of farmers. In a scenario where the Government withdraws from procurement, it will jeopardise the distribution of food and food security and lead to an increase in hoarding and black marketeering,” the resolution said.

While presenting the resolution, Vijayan that the country is now witnessing one of the most iconic protests ever by farmers in its history.

“The country's capital is witnessing an epic agitation of the farmers. There is outstanding will behind this agitation and is something that wasn’t visible in the recent past. It’s a pro-corporate and anti-farmer farm laws that the Union government passed in the Parliament.”

The resolution was passed unanimously with the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) supporting it. The lone BJP member O. Rajagopal, who spoke against the resolution, did not oppose it during the voting.

Earlier in October, Punjab Chief Minister had presented a draft resolution in the state assembly against the “anti-farmer” laws with an appeal to all parties to rise above political interests in the spirit of saving the state.

Meanwhile, the sixth round of talks between the Centre and farmers' union leaders concluded on December 30 evening. The two sides extensively discussed issues related to the three contentious farm laws. While the Union ministers were firm on backing the laws, farmers' representatives demanded to repeal them. The next round of talks is scheduled to be held on January 4.

Thousands of farmers, mainly from Punjab and Haryana, are still camping at several border areas in Delhi-NCR. They have been protesting against the three farm laws for over month now.