Farmers Agitation / Protest: Part 2
My previous article has received a good response with few people sharing their constructive feedback, opinions and views. There are always two (minimum) sides of a coin, here too we are seeing that and hence I am, after taking their permission, including few of these valuable opinions, facts and views of my readers as part-2 of the article.
Before I add my readers views, I wish to add few more points from my end.
It is not that I am stating that what these farmers are protesting is wrong or demands are wrong, but what I feel is that they have been misguided / misled by politicians and others (no surprises here) who have vested interests in them. If we consider a situation where the protesting farmers do agree with all the new laws of the government, and if it fails (we have history as proof where practically all the new policies brought in by this government have failed to sustain their promises; Demonetization, GST etc.) will they take the responsibility and own it up? No, they have never taken any Accountability of their wrong doings, which are a plenty. hence, I have been apprehensive about this law too.
This is probably my first article where I may be supporting the current government for this new Law but there are still lots questions and skeletons that have not yet unearthed. There are decades if not centuries of wrong doings to these farmers by Kings, Landowners, Governments, Politicians etc.
I definitely do not believe that there is No Personal Interest of Government in this nor do I believe that Ambani’s, Adani’s of the world are not involved or would not benefit with this law.
My point that Government has brought in Real Issues to Camouflage their Personal Interests / Benefits.
Following are few of views shared by my readers:
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Sameer Shaikh
Hi Cyrus read through, but the core issue of the farmers are not what you have said in your article... Though I agree these are issues, which are important to address. The environmental impact needs to be addressed but I don’t think it’s the govt intention to do anything on this.
The MSP issue of the farmers is core and should be addressed. If you want to make an open market for anyone to purchase, keep the MSP the same for private players as well. The MSP should be applicable to APMC as well as private players. In order to remove corruption don't open a door for exploitation by the corporates. think of how the farmers can be protected, much like MRP MSP is necessary.
Secondly, the contract farming clauses. While this could be good, there needs to be a fair contract framework for both. The corporate could easily wash their hands from their liability to purchase a crop if the quality is not met and we all know how this can be manipulated and mentioned in the contracts. Most of the times the quality of produce is dependent on a lot of environmental factors. Some of the farmers don't have any way to appeal in the court only till the SDM, which is ridiculous.
About the wastage of food, the FCI is to be blamed primarily on how it manages its excess food grains and why it cannot work to make the best used of these supplies. Also, the MSP calculation has to take into account the excess available grain so that there has to be some incentive for the farmers to move from the normal Rice & Wheat to something else.
About the removal of Essential Commodity Act, this paves the way for anyone to hoard goods and then at a later stage create a demand and sell at high prices. While these are all possibilities, but it cannot be ruled out.
Lastly, the way the law was passed and bull dozed in the parliament that does not instill confidence that is a necessary due diligence and if that was done and stakeholders brought onboard. Ideally like in the corporate world when a project impacts any department they are consulted / informed, get onboard and then project executed. In this case the govt just steam rolled the laws without any consensus. I am strongly against the intentions of this government. It closes its eyes on wrong doing and hence if these laws are misused by corporates to exploit the farmers then the government is just going to turn away.
Just my POV...
I agree there are a lot of reforms needed in the farming sector, but this is not the way to bring it on.
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Bharat Paliwal
Very well written.
1. Govt needs to explain the laws and it’s benefits to all - use TV / AIR there are enough communication channels.
2. The bad habits of subtle burning and wastage may also need a different angle. What is the alternative for subtle burning? If the alternative is attractive (e.g. someone procures for fuel or whatever other purposes) would a farmer literally burn this opportunity to make more money? Once the practice fades away, a law against subtle burning is smooth and will not seem harsh
3. Instead of wholesale freebies, can govt invest in smart agriculture? i.e., only provide free that’s absolutely needed for a particular crop - considering drip irrigation, etc. Invest there and let farmer’s benefit. Any additional use is charged.
On the capitalist front, does it mean middle class gets screwed by having to pay high charges to private packagers OR worse they essentially export everything leading to high prices and low quality to India.
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Anu Ganesh
Good analysis. The crux of the matter as some see it is that the MSP should be fixed before harvest and not after. If fixed after, then it amounts to big corporates like Ambani’s who will benefit.
The present law says MSP will be fixed after harvest.
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I shall add as and when I receive more.
Thank you for reading.
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