Punjab to bring in legislation to counter farm laws

To counter the ‘anti-farmer’ laws enacted by the Central government, the Punjab Government has decided to convene a special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on October 19 to bring in a legislation.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the Punjab Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh in Chandigarh on Wednesday through video conferencing.

The Chief Minister had announced that his government will fight the ‘anti-federal’ and ‘dangerous’ farm laws tooth and nail through legislative, legal and other routes. He had said some days ago that he would call a special session of the Assembly to bring in necessary amendments to the state laws to negate the impact of the Central legislations, which are ‘designed to ruin the farmers as well as the state’s agriculture and economy’.

With the Cabinet decision, the Punjab Governor has been authorized to convene the 13th (Special) Session of 15th Punjab Vidhan Sabha, as per clause (1) of Article 174 of the Constitution of India. The 12th session of the 15th Punjab Vidhan Sabha concluded on August 28, 2020 in which a resolution was passed by a majority to reject the contentious farm ordinances, viz. The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance, 2020; The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Ordinance, 2020; and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 besides the proposed Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2020, promulgated by the Union government.