Chandigarh, December 16 : Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Partap Singh Bajwa on Monday sharply criticized the BJP-led Union government. He condemned their effort to reintroduce clauses from the three controversial Farm Law . These laws triggered a year-long farmers’ agitation at Delhi’s borders in 2020–21. “Farmers are already fighting to secure the legalization of Minimum Support Price (MSP). At the same time, the BJP government is devising policies that prove disastrous for agricultural marketing,” Bajwa stated.

Agricultural economists criticized it

The senior Congress leader pointed to the Union government’s draft National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing. This framework, released on November 25, has faced widespread backlash from farm union leaders. Agricultural economists have also criticized it. “With this policy, the government seems determined to undermine Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees (APMCs). It aims to pave the way for big corporations in agricultural marketing. When APMCs are weakened, private players will take advantage of farmers, forcing them to sell their produce at distressed prices. Instead of guaranteeing MSP, the BJP government is pushing a regressive agenda that endangers farmers and agriculture,” Bajwa said. Bajwa also criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government for its delayed response to the draft policy. Moreover, he highlighted that the Punjab government waited nearly 20 days. They also did not actively engage with farmers. Other stakeholders were not consulted in a timely manner. “Today, the Punjab agriculture minister convened a meeting on this critical issue. Where was the urgency earlier? This delay reflects the AAP government’s lack of sincerity towards farmers’ welfare,” said the Qadian legislator.

Farm Law : Bajwa called for a united front

Bajwa called for a united front. He urged all stakeholders—including farmers, unions, pressure groups, economists, and political parties in Punjab—to come together. They need to develop a strategy to counter these policies. “This is the time to set aside differences and stand united for the protection of Punjab’s farmers and agriculture,” he emphasized