Union Cabinet approves withdrawal of three farm laws; Centre says ‘priority to repeal them in Parliament session’
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday gave its go-ahead for the withdrawal of the three contentious farm laws which sparked protests at Delhi borders by thousands of farmers.
“Today, the Union Cabinet led by PM Modi completed formalities to repeal the three farm laws. During the upcoming session of the Parliament, it will be our priority to take back these three laws,” Union I&B Minister Anurag Thakur said at a press conference after the Cabinet meeting.
The Central government will now introduce “The Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021” in Parliament for passage in the coming Winter session beginning from November 29.
On November 19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a surprising move, had announced that the government will repeal the three laws, marking an about-turn by his government to end the stalemate with protesting farmers.
In a televised address to the nation, the Prime Minister had said that the Centre will take constitutional measures to repeal the three laws in the upcoming Parliament session.
PM Modi also appealed to protesting farmers to call off their agitation against these reform measures and return home as he called for a new beginning.
While farmers’ unions hailed the announcement as a huge victory, opposition parties claimed that the decision was taken in view of the upcoming Assembly elections in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, which have a huge base of farmers.
The sudden decision came nearly a week before the first anniversary of the farmers’ stir at several border points in Delhi including Singhu.
Farmers have maintained that they will not call off their protests at the Delhi borders until the laws are formally repealed in Parliament.
Foodgrain scheme extended by 4 months
Thakur also announced that the Cabinet has decided to extend the additional free 5-kg foodgrains scheme by four months till March 2022.
“It has been decided to extend the ‘PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana’ to provide free ration till March 2022. The food grain under Phase V would entail an estimated food subsidy of Rs 53,344.52 crores,” the minister said.
