Punjab to oppose Centre’s farm marketing policy in assembly today

Photo : ANI

The Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, will bring a resolution in the state assembly on Tuesday against the Centre’s new farm policy. The AAP government says this policy is similar to the old farm laws that were canceled in 2021 after huge farmer protests. Many farmers and leaders believe this new policy is a secret way to bring back the old laws and take away Punjab’s control over farming.

Punjab’s Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian will present this resolution in the assembly. The state government has many worries about this policy. One big problem is that the policy does not say if wheat and rice will still be bought at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Farmers fear that the government may remove MSP in the future. The policy also allows private buyers instead of government mandis, which could harm the mandi system and force farmers to depend on private traders who may not give them good prices.

Another issue is that the new policy reduces mandi fees and commission charges. The Punjab government says this will reduce state income and harm the agricultural system. Farming comes under the state’s control as per the Indian Constitution, so Punjab wants the right to make its own farm rules.

Farmers also fear that the policy will increase contract farming and allow private grain storage (silos) to act as market yards. This could lead to private companies taking control of food storage and slowly ending MSP-based government buying. The Centre’s policy also plans to cut the Rural Development Fee (RDF) and Market Development Fee (MDF). Punjab has used these funds to build and maintain more than 1,900 mandis and 65,000 km of rural roads. If these funds are reduced, the state may not be able to maintain these facilities, making it harder for farmers to sell their crops at good prices.

The Centre had sent this draft policy to Punjab last year for feedback, but farmers and unions have already rejected it. Farmer groups like the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM-Non Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) strongly oppose it, saying it will hurt Punjab’s farmers. After a meeting with central officials in Chandigarh on February 22, KMM leader Sarwan Singh Pandher asked Punjab’s ministers to reject the policy in the assembly session. Farmer leaders have also met Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian, and Food Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak to demand full rejection of the new farm policy.

The Punjab government will ask the Centre to let states make their own farming rules. Farmers are watching closely to see what happens next, as this decision could shape the future of farming in Punjab.

Feb. 25, 2025 {{ Blogdetails.schedule_date|time }} 355

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