The Union ministers addressed the media over Farm Bills passed in Rajya Sabha and ruckus created by the Opposition.
New Delhi: The two new Farm Bills passed in the Rajya Sabha have not gone down well with the farmers as they have been protesting leading to sealing of Punjab and Haryana border.
BJP's Haryana ally and deputy CM Dushyant Chautala has threatened to quit over "danger" to the minimum support price system. Punjab CM Amarinder Singh, meanwhile, said that he will take BJP and its allies — including Akali Dal — to court over the "unconstitutional anti-farmer laws". This comes even as SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur resigned from the Union cabinet over the bills.
Union ministers like Rajnath Singh, Piyush Goyal, Prahlad Joshi, Prakash Jawdekar, Thawar Chand Gehlot and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi addressed a press conference and spoke about the two bills passed and the ruckus created by the Opposition.
“In the history of the proceedings of the House, never before has such an incident taken place. This happening in Rajya Sabha is an even bigger matter. Attempts are being made to mislead the farmers on the basis of rumours. What happened is against the decorum of the House,” said Defence minister Rajnath Singh.
He added, “What happened in Rajya Sabha today was saddening, unfortunate and shameful. It is the responsibility of the ruling side to enable discussions in the House but it is also the duty of the Opposition to maintain decorum.”
“Even if the Opposition was not convinced, does it allow them to be violent, attack the Chair. Notice has been given to the Chairman. A decision will be taken by him. I don't want to say anything politically. This is the prerogative of the Chairman,” Singh said.
Amidst all this Rajnath Singh assured the farmers that the Minimum Support Price (MSP) will remain. He said, “I am also a farmer and I want to assure farmers of the country that MSP (minimum support price) and APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committee) systems are not going to end.”
"Notice has been given to the Chairman. A decision will be taken by him. I don't want to say anything politically. This is the prerogative of the Chairman," ANI quoted Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as saying, on a no-confidence motion by the Opposition against Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh.
When questioned about resignation of Harsimrat Kaur Badal from Union Cabinet, Rajnath Singh said, “There are some political reasons behind every such decision. I don't want to comment on why she took this decision.”
On the other hand, all APMC mandis across Rajasthan have decided to observe a one-day strike on September 21 (tomorrow), at least 10 farmer organisations have given a state-wide bandh call for September 25 and a country-wide 'resistance' call by the AIKSCC has also been given for the same day.
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